Flying with Friends -- Jenny Frederich

After 8 years of teaching very special 2nd Graders, I'm flying down the hall to First Grade! I can't wait for fun new adventures with my firsties!

My mission as a teacher is to provide a caring classroom family for my kids and inspire these extraordinary children to learn and grow through adventure and exploration.

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -- Maya Angelou

"Strong teachers don't teach content. Google has content. Strong teaching connects learning in ways that inspire kids to learn more and strive for greatness." -- Eric Jenson

B.A. Elementary Education
Fontbonne University

M.S. Curriculum and Instruction
Western Governors University

My kindergarten teacher changed my world by making me feel like I was important by showing me I was extraordinary. Growing up in a chaotic hurting home, as the oddball in a very ordinary middle class suburban neighborhood... she was the first calm in my storm. I ran into her 13 years later, right after I had made the decision to become a teacher. She knew exactly who I was and it was like no time had passed. I still felt important and extraordinary in her presence, I was still "one of her kids." That was the moment I knew my calling wasn't just teaching... it was to help "my kids" feel extraordinary and feel like they are part of a unique family.

During my senior year of high school, I was given the opportunity to work with elementary kids while earning service hours for college scholarships. The lead teacher, was a 4th grade teacher in the building... she stopped at the table where I was working with a little girl who was struggling greatly with memorizing multiplication, and refused to speak. As a visual learner myself, I taught her some memory tricks to help her. We used a white board, and slowly but surely she got comfortable and Jane stopped and told me, "You have a gift. You would make a wonderful teacher" I had gone from kindergarten to senior year of high school... and those were the only two times I remember feeling extraordinary. I felt like I had a purpose, and was given a gift and a calling. The more I explored this passion, the more my love for learning and being a teacher grew. I owe so much to these two extraordinary women. I am dedicating my career to making my students feel inspired and feeling extraordinary.

"What if I fall? But oh, my darling, what if you FLY?"

My daughter Kaylin loves to flip! She trains a billion hours a week in gymnastics and diving. She is such a kind, caring soul and has a smile that lights up the world. She is an insanely hard worker and very driven. She is incredibly creative and gives me a great excuse to get crafty and messy! She is such an amazing child and makes me so proud!

My soulmate is a commercial airline pilot and he does the flying. The only flying I do is when I'm running late, and that's often. He keeps me grounded, but makes life such an adventure too! He cooks and I do dishes, we are literally a dream-team.