Some people seem to be born for their careers. That’s how it is for Jenika Schrimpf with teaching. It’s her passion, her calling. This is evident from the way her face lights up when she talks about teaching and from the enthusiasm that oozes from her.
Even before Jenika’s dream of becoming a teacher crystallized, she knew she wanted to work with children. Her family’s adoption of two boys when she was 14 contributed to this.
“[It] showed me the impact you can have on people’s lives,” she said.
During high school, Jenika began to think about teaching, but it was coming to Point Loma that really solidified this dream. She was attracted to Point Loma because of the close-knit Christian community. And there was another plus: the strong reputation of PLNU’s School of Education. She began looking into the program during her freshman year.
“I talked to people in the department, and they got me excited about it,” she said.
It was then that she decided she would become a teacher. Jenika’s time at Point Loma has confirmed this decision, especially her student teaching experience.
“It’s been the best thing ever,” she said. “I have learned so much through the student teaching, more than in my entire academic career. It’s not until you are up there teaching that everything comes together, that it clicks.”
Jenika is sure now that teaching is what she is meant to do.
“I feel like God has called me to it,” she said. “I really just love working with kids, and I’m really passionate about education in general. I believe I can have an impact on society.”
Upon graduating, Jenika will have a degree in liberal studies, as well as her teaching credential. She hopes to begin teaching right away. As far as long-term goals, Jenika hopes that she can use her teaching as a ministry.
“I’m really passionate about working in urban areas with kids who don’t have strong families,” she said. “Just being a good teacher in itself is a big long-term goal.”
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