What is your favorite quote and why?

One of my favorite quotes is as follows: "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step" - Lao Tzo. This quote resonates with me because it is a reminder not to be afraid to try new things and get out of my comfort zone. It is amazing what one can achieve in doing so. Life is indeed a journey, and one can achieve greatness by living life, taking risks, experiencing successes and failures, learning from both, and taking on goals one step at a time.

What made you decide to work in education?

I decided to work in education because, at a young age, I always connected with kids. People would always say "You were born to teach!" My elementary years were very difficult being a first-generation American, and I was always told to "figure it out" when I didn't understand lessons in school by my teachers. When I pursued a career in education, I vowed the be the teacher I wish I had and to find ways to teach my lessons so that my students would never experience the fear and confusion that I did as a student.

Do you have kids? If so, tell us about them!

I am blessed to have my two daughters, Olivia and Julia, both P.S. 65 alumni, and my stepkids Aeris and Xander. The kids have their own personalities and get along well together. All of the girls enjoy school whereas Xander loves gaming and collecting action figures. Olivia wants to be a litigator, and Julia wants to follow in my footsteps and become a teacher!

If you could grow up in any decade, which would you choose?

I would love to go back in time and grow up in the early 40s. As of late, I have been drawn to black and white movies, and I absolutely love the attire worn and the language spoken during that time period. Life was simpler, and I'm such an old-fashioned soul that this time period, regardless of the number of cons it had, draws me in and would be intriguing to experience.

What do you want our students to remember most about school?

I want our students to remember the wonderful memories shared together in class. School is not just about completing assignments, homework, listening to lessons and the like. It is about sharing our time together in a positive, safe space and using the skills and strategies learned in class into every day life. The best years are said to be one's elementary school years and I hope this holds true for each and every one of my students.

Jennifer Marzella's profile