Education and Teaching History
My name is Jennifer Therens and I was born and raised in Wauconda, IL. I graduated Magna Cum Laude, from Southern Illinois University, in 2006 with my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. I student taught at Fremont Elementary School, in Mundelein, IL where I worked in a multiage class of 1st and 2nd graders. While I was student teaching, Mrs. Hamelly, another teacher on the multiage team won the prestigious Golden Apple award, which requires the winners to go on a semester long sabbatical. After I finished student teaching, I was very privileged to have the opportunity to take over Mrs. Hamelly’s class while she was on leave, and I learned many valuable teaching strategies from this wonderful teacher. Upon Mrs. Hamelly’s return I then finished out the year at Fremont as an aide in a Special Needs Early Childhood classroom. While I was aiding at Fremont, I was called in for an interview at Woodland Elementary West and was honored to accept a position as a Woodland classroom teacher! I had wanted to be a teacher since I was very young and having my own classroom was a dream come true! To have the chance to do something I love each and every day is such a wonderful opportunity and I hope to share that enthusiasm for life and learning with all of my students!
Mrs. Therens' Favorites
(These are a few things that I enjoy, and I look forward to learning about you and some of your favorite things too!!!)
Favorite Book - I don't have just one favorite, but one of my favorites when I was in grade school was, "Where The Red Fern Grows", by Wilson Rawls... BEWARE this book might cause some tears!
Favorite Author - Again I don't have just one favorite but I really like Roald Dahl, I think his best book is, "Matilda".
Favorite Movie - "The Lorax", is one of my favorite movies to show in class, and was originally a book written by Dr. Seuss. "The Lorax", teaches us about protecting the environment, which is something that everyone should know a lot about!
Favorite Hobby - Traveling... it is my goal to go to every state in the United States, so far I have been to 19 states. When I can't travel I love to read in my spare time!
From Left to Right: Mrs. Therens feeding a swan at Swan Lake, in South Carolina, and a wax replica at Ripley's Believe It Or Not, in Myrtle Beach, of a man born with two pupils in each eye!
From Left to Right: Galena, Illinois, where President Grant lived. Abraham Lincoln also gave a speech from the balcony above Mr. Therens' shoulder! The next picture is Mr. Therens and I on our ATV's in Arizona!
Favorite State - I love visiting California, especially San Francisco!
This is a picture of an artist in San Francisco who can balance rocks on top of each other in the most fascinating ways... You can also spot me in the background catching the action with my video camera!
Favorite Food - Cheese pizza and bread sticks from Pizza Hut... YUM!!!
Mmmm... Is it lunch time yet?
Favorite Restaurant - Other than Pizza Hut, I love 
.
Favorite Holiday - The 4th of July... Not only is it the day the United States celebrates its independence, but it's also my wedding anniversary. (Before I was married some of you might have known me as Ms. Zeivel)
From Left to Right: Mr. Therens and I, and some of my Woodland friends, celebrating the special day with me!
Favorite Sport - I love watching Freestyle Motocross. My favorite competitor is Carey Hart, he was the first person to attempt a back flip in a motorcycle competition!
Don't try this at home!!! (o:
Favorite Animal - I love my mom's dog Buddy, he is a Bichon Frise and I enjoy when he stays at my house for sleepovers! My dad's dog, Callie, is pretty great too. She is a Bichon-Yorkie mix and loves to sing.
From Left to Right: Me with my mom's dog Buddy and my dad with his dog Callie... She is belting out her favorite tune, "Happy Birthday to You".
Favorite School - WOODLAND of course!
Last day of school in 2008.
2008 Read-a-thon, where we enjoyed some great books in our PJs & Field Day 2009 tug-of-war victory!
2009 Halloween Party!
2010 Halloween Craft!
Showing ROAR behavior at the all school assembly and exploring the Harvest Garden in 2011!