Rena Navarro

I graduated in 2005 with a degree in English Education, and have been teaching (in some form or fashion) ever since. Most of my professional career was spent in the middle school, where I taught English and Social Studies. I’ve also tutored students one on one, worked in special education, and ran a busy daycare out of my home. One of my favorite teaching experiences was at Essentia Health, where I taught fitness classes to cancer survivors, as well as a “Silver Sneakers” aerobics class. It’s a good thing I had so much prior experience in classroom management with 13 year olds, because I had to use all my tricks to keep up with those sassy Silver Sneaker’s ladies!

This quote from the book, “Blue Like Jazz,” helps to explain my philosophy of teaching.

“I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn’t resolve. But I was outside the Bagdad Theater in Portland one night when I saw a man playing the saxophone. I stood there for fifteen minutes, and he never opened his eyes. After that I liked jazz music. Sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself. It is as if they are showing you the way.”

I love how as teachers, we can inspire students to grow and learn, simply by allowing our passion to be seen!