Beloved kindergarten teacher retires
MANY WONDERFUL BEGINNINGS — Retiring kindergarten teacher Becky Jensen has brought about many wonderful new beginnings for NRHEG's students. Here she is pictured on a trip to Pumpkinland in 2008 with the members of this year's graduating class. (Submitted photo)
By JORDAN HOREJSI
Panther Press
Becky Jensen, a kindergarten teacher at NRHEG for 32 years, has officially announced her retirement as of June 7, 2021. Jensen has taught for a total of 34 years and she expressed, “I’ve had a fantastic career!”
As a child, Jensen grew up with seven sisters and one brother, and she said, “I watched my mom deal with nine kids, milk cows and do chores before going to teach, coming home and having a home cooked meal for us every night.” She went on to say, “It was unbelievable.”
According to Jensen, her mom was not only one of the reasons she wanted to become a teacher, but also the person who inspired her most. “My mom was a teacher in a country school when I was little…” Jensen explains. “I remember watching her correct papers at night and listening to what she did all day. I loved it!
“The hardest part about teaching is balancing a person’s philosophy on what’s best for children and how they learn with what the district, state and/or federal government says is best,” Jensen continued. “Sometimes the mandates coming down from legislatures are not realistic or do not take into consideration that these are 5- and 6-year-olds who still need time to grow, develop and play.” With the pandemic, teachers have had to adapt and alter their plans numerous times to teach students the required information while still allowing them to have fun and relax.
“The most interesting part about being a teacher is that I am learning constantly,” Jensen said. “I’ve tried to take a class or workshop at least once a year, since I became a teacher to learn new ways of implementing learning in my classroom.” When asked what advice she would give to herself her first year of teaching, she replied, “I would tell myself that the first year won’t be perfect, but it will be a year of learning and growing and listening to the veteran teachers.”
Jensen observed that older staff members are a beginner’s greatest asset: “They really do know what they are talking about!”
As Jensen’s career in teaching comes to a close, she said, “I decided it was time to let someone younger take over.” She went on to say, “I absolutely love teaching, but keeping up with all the changes this past year and a half has been tough. It’s time for me to explore new options.”
We all wish Mrs. Jensen luck in all her future endeavors.