Mrs. Hanner’s Bio

 

 

            I was honored to grow up in a loving, Catholic family with 4 siblings and several foster children.  During my K-8 school years, I attended St. Pius X. Because I had a great love for my teachers, which were nuns, and the foster children that lived in our home, my plans were to be a nun and teach underprivileged children.

  After college, my first teaching assignment was when I entered the Teacher Corp and became a first and second grade teacher in a remote part of the Appalachian Mountains for 2 years.  I was not a nun, but I did fall in love with the students and the teaching profession.

When I returned from this assignment, I taught for 2 years at Ballinger Academy and 7 years at Our Lady of Grace. Then I left the academic environment to care for my own children, Houston, Drew and Luke for 15 years.  For many of those years, I home schooled one of my boys, which introduced me to the course of study for all grade levels.  I think I learned more during this experience than any other time of my life.  During the years at home, I also tutored learning-disabled students and encouraged them emotionally and academically.  These children were a constant inspiration to me and reinforced my love for imparting knowledge.

Having been home for so many years, I was dubious about entering the work force, but a call came for me to fill a position as a transitional kindergarten teacher for one year at Our Lady of Grace, and I joyfully agreed.  After completing this job, I was like-“Wow, getting out of the house and being around other professionals is awesome." After completing the TK class, I was asked to teach part time in the computer lab, so I returned to school for a licensure in computers.  It was long, arduous work, but it paid off.  I have been serving as the Technology coordinator for the last 6 years and enjoying every minute of the opportunity. 

Working as a specialist is like being a grand parent.  I have the privilege of enjoying every student for a part of their school day and then sending them back to their homeroom teachers.  Not only do I have a chance to love each student, but, I have the chance to teach a subject that really inspires and excites them.  I would have to say that my little world in the computer lab is the best!!!

Even though I did not become a nun or spend much of my life teaching underprivileged kids, I love being part of God’s family and spending time with your children.  They are beautiful, inspiring people, and they will do mighty things to change the world and make it a better place.