Teacher Spotlight - Mrs. Mayrens!

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Why did you decide to become a teacher?
"As a child, I loved everything about school. The books, the building, the subjects, the teachers... everything. My eighth grade teacher Mr. Ron Prochnow had a tremendous impact on me. I wanted to be like him.  One day in religion class, as he was telling us how God calls us to do different things according to our abilities, the light bulb went on.  I knew that God was calling me to be a teacher. " 

What do you like about teaching 3rd grade?
"I've enjoyed teaching a few different grades... preschool, first and second grades, and even a year of middle school art and literature. I would have to say that third grade is my favorite. Third graders are adventurous, curious, and ready to put all of their newfound knowledge to use. I love to see them blossom from early childhood into elementary students as their independence and confidence grow."
    
Why do you love St. John's?
"I attended St. John's from K-8th grade, and graduated in 1977. I've been a member of St. John's Church since then, except for a few years when I was teaching at other Lutheran Schools. So this is my home congregation.  It's a part of who I am. " 

What do you like to do in your free time?
"I enjoy getting together with family and friends, as well as a few hobbies such as reading, attending concerts, and playing Bingo Bash. I also enjoy visiting zoos across the country.  I've visited around 30 different zoos.  I was a docent at Brookfield Zoo for 8 years."
  
Do you have a favorite book?
"I don't really have a single favorite book. My favorite genres are historical fiction, classics, and fantasy. I'm currently rereading one of my favorite books,  Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser.  I also enjoyed the Harry Potter series. I'm one of those crazy people who waited in the lines at midnight on the date each book was released and then hunkered down and read it all the way through without stopping. I'm also a big fan of Redwall, a fantasy series by Brian Jacques. Edgar Allan Poe and Jane Austen are other favorite authors."
   
What is something that might surprise us about you?
"I've met two U.S. presidents (Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan) and been 10 feet from Pope John Paul II. I've also had a tarantula crawl across my face."