6th Grade Language Arts, 6-8th Grade French, 7th Grade Social Studies, 6th Grade Homeroom Teacher
Jennie has been teaching at Sussex since 1990. Originally from Minnesota, she graduated from the University of Montana in English and French. Jennie taught in Dijon, France before coming to Sussex, and now enjoys teaching French to Sussex students. Jennie is working on her Master's in Teaching English and is a graduate of the Montana Writing Project. She and her husband have two daughters at the school and two scruffy dogs (not at the school). When Jennie isn't teaching, she can often be found with some combination of family and dogs off on a hike.
What is your teaching philosophy? I believe learning should be fun and challenging to open kids’ eyes up to new ideas. I love teaching at Sussex School because I can really get to know the kids, and we can create a great learning community together.
Is there anyone in particular who has inspired you as a teacher? My grandmother taught English to Italian immigrants. Teaching was a big part of our family. I’ve also been fortunate to have had many excellent teachers in my life.
What do you love most about teaching? What I love about teaching is hard to put into words--seeing kids’ eyes shining with excitement when their writing captures just what they want to say, or when they love a good book. It’s amazing when they can see a part of history in a new way, and when their experimenting with French actually makes a lot of sense!
What do you like to do when you are not teaching? I enjoy skiing and camping with my family, traveling and reading.
Who is the person you admire most in the world? I admire my grandmother who selflessly taught English to Italian immigrant families. She passed on to me the importance of both keeping an open mind, and learning a lot about the many places and cultures in the world.
“I believe learning should be fun and challenging to open kids’ eyes up to new ideas.”
- Jennie Bucher, 6th Grade Homeroom, Language Arts Teacher for Grades 6-7, Social Studies Teacher for Grades 6-7, and French Teacher for Grades 6-8