Connie

Making sure students have the tools they need to make their dreams a reality is Mrs. Constance P. Jensen (maiden name Todd) but she goes by Connie.  She likes to celebrate her birthday on May 22nd.  Joining her in her family is her husband, Rick, children and spouses, Josh and Heidi (4 children), Trent and Dani (2 children) and Brock and Carissa (4 children), 10 grandchildren, Kinnick, Karver, Knile, Kadrian, Cooper, Kylie, Brooke, Elijah, Madison and Emmalynn.

She acquired her double major in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Morningside College, Sioux City, IA.  She started with the district in 1993 as a Preschool Aide, 1996 became the Preschool teacher, 2003 left preschool to teach 1st and 2nd grade and 2011 became the Title reading teacher so she she has been working in the district for 27 years.  She teaches reading to K - 2nd grade students but has also worked with 3rd and 4th grade students with title reading.  She believes her students would be shocked to find out that she likes to go horse-back riding occasionally, she loves water and swimming and dark chocolate of any kind, they already know that she is old, that's not a secret.

Her favorite thing to do for enjoyment is she loves to spend time with her kids and grandkids that is her number one!  But she also loves to research Family History and learn more about her ancestors.

Some of her favorites are:

  • The colors browns, black, orange and olive green and she loves black and gold for her Hawkeyes!
  • Food is chicken, tacos, chili and sweets, lots of sweets.
  • Book-currently, David Kilpatricks book, because it is a great resource to support students reading ability.  She knows that is cheesy but she sure wishes she would have had that book ten years ago.
  • Movie-she loves movies but not a favorite one, she likes to watch human nature, comedies and love stories.
  • Songs are "Praise You In This Storm" by Casting Crowns and "Almost Home" by Mercy Me.
  • Sports Team-River Valley of course as long as they aren't playing against one of her grandchildren's team, then she has to root for her KIDS and the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Her special thing about teaching is loving to watch children blossom in their learning.  She usually gets the students who struggle with reading and it is such a joy to see them figure out the secrets of decoding to become readers who enjoy reading.

She shared, "I grew up here, went to school here, still have lots of family here and am proud to say I teach at River Valley.  Funny, after graduating high school I said I was moving away and seeing the world, but in the end this is my world!"

Mrs. Jensen, thank you for all that you do!