Hello! My name is Jenn Kohl and this is Conversations-Over-Coffee, my personal blog about exploring and connecting to quality pieces of literature. As both a Mom and an Elementary School Teacher, I find that coffee pairs beautifully with literature. Over the years, I have spent hours in coffee houses, libraries, and independent bookstores revisiting the classics and discovering new publications.
On a personal note…
Boring Resume Info…
Time to brag. Let me rephrase that. A few years ago, my Dad offered me the following words of advice, “Jenn, it’s not bragging if it’s true.” Love this man. I earned a Bachelors of Arts degree, and majored in Psychology with a minor in Business. I worked my way up to Human Resource Assistant. Somewhere in there I married my best friend and started a family. I am blessed with a gorgeous daughter who danced her way into my heart twenty-one years ago. When she started Kindergarten, I volunteered extensively at her school. That’s when I fell in love with education. I returned to college and earned my Elementary Education Certificate: Kindergarten – Grade 9, with endorsements in Self Contained General Education Kindergarten – Grade 9 and Social Science for Middle School . Then life happened as it does. We moved, I took some time, and then I subbed for two years. This fall marks my seventh year teaching at my current district and nine years in the classroom. Yes, I count the two years of subbing. I started in Kindergarten, moved up to First, and landed in Second. Three grades in three years. Yikes! This fall marks my fifth year teaching Second Grade. By the way, Second Graders rock! I work alongside the absolute best colleagues. Go ahead and ask them. They are not shy. No, seriously they are the heart of our school.
Over the past three summers, I taught Summer Science at the Morton Arboretum. I decided to take this summer off to complete a Professional Development course at Brookfield Zoo. Click on “Menu” and open the “Professional Development” tab. It’s been an amazing experience! Also, I’m taking some long overdue time for self care and wacky adventures.
Future Goals…
Oh my. Future goals. I always dreaded that question. Where do you see yourself in five years? At this point in my life, if I’m being honest, I’m not sure. I could write several lofty goals and present my readers with an Instagram picture of a perfect life, but life’s messy. Sometimes we fall down a rabbit hole and end up on the moon. As of today, I am free falling as I explore options of what life could hold for myself and my family. So here is what I can offer you. I hope to travel. I miss taking early flights and long road trips. Our world has so much to offer and experience. Professional goals…I feel a masters degree or PhD is on horizon as a possibility. Wherever life takes me, I know three things. One, my family will always take priority. Two, self care is more than a healthy lifestyle. Self care is mental, physical and spiritual care. I will take the time that I need with no apologies or explanations given. Three, conversations over coffee with my daughter and close friends are essentials not luxuries. Life is short. Order the grande, settle in, and share your life stories. Cheers!☕️
—Jenn
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