Mrs. Hanten's Classroom: Meet Mrs. Hanten

My story begins in 1987 when I started kindergarten at St. Pius X School in Appleton, WI. I loved everything about school, from spending time with my friends, to doing workbook pages, to writing on the chalkboard and of course learning. I spent endless days playing school with my neighborhood friends. From a very young age, I knew that I wanted to be a teacher.

First Day of 2nd Grade

Throughout college and my teaching career, I’ve often been asked to recall the best teachers that I have had in my life because these are the people I should model my teaching after and strive to be like. I’ve had some great teachers over the years, including my second grade teacher, Miss Krings, my fifth grade teacher Mrs. Curtain and my seventh grade teacher Mrs. Miskoviak. But the best teacher I have ever had in my life has been my dad. He has taught me everything from how to tie my first pair of Air Jordans to being the best person I could be and everything in between. I think one of the greatest life lessons that I learned from my dad was Patience! He has truly been the greatest teacher I have ever had. He has always been there to encourage and support me. I can't thank him enough for teaching/showing me how to be the person I am today.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><></>

Me & Dad (being ridiculous)

And then there is Jeanne, my aunt and my best friend. She has and continues to inspire me everyday. When I was in college, she reaffirmed the fact that teaching was the right career choice for me. I spent a lot of time with her at the school she works at while I was growing up. I remember how she let me help teachers get their classrooms ready before the school year started. I just knew that I needed to have my own classroom someday. I have loved being around kids for as long back as I can remember. I spent a lot of my middle school and high school days babysitting. Taking care of children gives me so much joy and happiness.

*side note* I was hired for my first teaching job only 4 days before school started. Jeanne was right there with me making midnight trips to Wal-Mart and working on setting up my classroom until 3 in the morning. I cherish every moment and memory that we share! I know there are many more to come.

Jeanne and I after completing the Lozilu Mud Run, June 2012

Me & Peg

Of course, along the way I have met many other people who have made me be a better person and a better teacher. I owe so much to Peg Bindl, my friend, coworker, and mentor. She has been an incredible influence and a great role model. She keeps teaching fun. I love coming to school to learn, grow in my teaching and have fun! I can only hope to one day be half the teacher she is.

Finally, I have to thank my husband, Mike, for listening to my endless stories. He is a great supporter of my teaching career and offers advice in a way that only he can! :)