If you were to ever ask Jen Wilson how she was, she could answer you three different ways.
Wilson is proficient in French and Spanish, and a native English speaker. Her passion for language came from studying both of them throughout high school. She even had the chance to study abroad in France and Spain while in college. Wilson feels so grateful for the opportunity to have been able to branch out and challenge herself.
“It was such a great experience being able to see and study these different cultures,” Wilson said.“I knew ever since I went there those were the two languages I wanted to teach.”
Wilson was able to land a job at La Porte High School, where she taught Spanish and French for 3 years. She then got a job as an elementary school teacher, where she continued to teach Spanish, and was there for 17 years. What Wilson loves most about teaching is plain and simple, the opportunity to help out her students.
After a while, Wilson decided she wanted to do more to help out her students. She eventually went back to school to get her master's degree in Counseling. She recently finished her first year back at La Porte High School as a guidance counselor. This felt like the right move for Wilson because she feels that she can relate to kids easily. She also reiterates that no matter the position or title, she is always there to help.
“All teachers can be considered counselors to me,” Wilson said. “We are all in this together to help these kids and make a positive impact on their lives.”
Wilson's career has taken her all over the place, but now she finally feels like it has come full circle. There have been a lot of challenges along the way, however she feels like she has reached a stopping point in her career.
“If given the chance, I would take the same path again,” Wilson said.“I have made many great choices along the way and helped many people, it has been a great journey.”
The long and ever-changing path of Wilson's career does have some benefits. Given her background in elementary school for almost two decades, she now sees some familiar faces regularly. Many of her former students get to work with her and Wilson loves the fact she gets to continue helping them.
“It feels like I can make an even deeper connection with them because they already know me,” Wilson said.“You don't just get to know the students, but their families as well. I love getting to know them and am so happy to see them again.”
Wilson gets the chance to support her school through her children as well, since all three of them play sports. All of them also followed in her footsteps and ran track and field like she did.
When not at work, Wilson can be found just relaxing with a good book, or unwinding with some yoga. When the weather is warm, she can be found relaxing on the beach, a place she cannot wait to go back to soon.