GALION, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—A Galion teacher who’s passionate about her profession has been selected as Teacher of the Month sponsored by Lewis Family McDonald’s.
Jenna Bollinger, a high school Spanish teacher, is an eight-year veteran of the district. A prolific “profesora” known for using her language skills in the classroom and abroad.
“I’m very passionate about travel and gaining firsthand experience with both the language and the culture,” said Bollinger, who also teaches Spanish to eighth graders. “I like to see the language and the culture come to life in the classroom.”
Bollinger, a Bucyrus native, said she knew early on that teaching was her career path. “I tell people I was meant to be an educator. When my sister and I played together we played school a lot, and I would always be the teacher.”
She studied Spanish for three years at Bucyrus High School, then traveled to Costa Rica the summer after graduating in 2007. “I fell in love with the culture, the music, everything. I didn’t want to come back home. I cried. I wanted to stay.”
Bollinger went on to Heidelberg University in nearby Tiffin where she planned to major in vocal music education. But she decided to add Spanish as a major after studying in Mexico and for six months in Argentina. “I have forever been changed.”
She received a bachelor’s degree from Heidelberg in 2011 and enrolled in graduate school at Eastern Michigan University where she earned two master’s degrees – in Spanish and in TESOL, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
Bollinger taught English as a second language while in Ypsilanti, Michigan, then returned to North Central Ohio to accept a teaching job with the Clear Fork Valley Local Schools in Bellville. She was with the district four years.
At Galion, Bollinger describes her classroom setting as “relaxed,” where students are encouraged to actively participate. “It’s not a strict raise-your-hand type of classroom,” she explained. “I like to do a lot of activities that students aren’t used to.”
She is known for a “cross-curricular” approach to projects – making papier mache’ masks to celebrate the Mexican holiday “Day of the Dead” and collaborating with a science teacher to create Mexican and French flags from dyed bandanas for Cinco de Mayo.
Next June, Bollinger will accompany Galion students, their families, and colleagues on a trip to Puerto Rico. In all, she has already explored 14 countries, with no plans to ever stop traveling. “I know what I’m doing with my life is right.”
Bollinger, a clarinet player, occasionally plays in the Bucyrus Alumni Band. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, nature, playing cards, and spending time with her cat, “Sombra” (shadow in Spanish), which she adopted from the Humane Society.
But more than anything, Bollinger is grateful for the Teacher of the Month honor – and for a profession that’s so rewarding. “I’m just very thankful, super appreciative. I love the people I work with. I know it’s the job I’m meant to do.”