Today we’d like to introduce you to Aleen Jendian
Hi Aleen, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I think I was always drawn to being an educator: from playing school with younger siblings and their friends (I was of course the teacher), to being a camp counselor and CSF tutor during high school, to being the education director at a Boys and Girls Club during college, something drew me the profession. My family immigrated from Egypt, but we are Armenian. Armenians (like many other cultures) believe there are really three professions: doctor, lawyer, businessman (sub the last out with engineer). So when I told my family I wanted to be a teacher, they were supportive, but I could tell a bit disappointed. The disappointment came with an understanding that the amount of work a teacher doe is not rewarded financially. That conversation came later. At SDSU I majored in Recreation Administration with an emphasis in Outdoor Education. I wanted to be a Park Ranger. When I turned 21 right before graduation, I had an anaphylactic reaction. From there, I kept having anaphylactic reactions that led me to the hospital. I went to many doctors. My dad even took me all the way to the Mayo Clinic (where he was trained), but no one could figure out what I was allergic to. The doctors ended up diagnosing me with idiopathic anaphylaxis, and a warning to not be more than 10 miles away from a hospital. I lived in this unknown state for 6 years. During that time I worked at an outpatient clinic, where people would come for some therapy and recreational activities (which I planned). I noticed I really enjoyed the conversations the poetry and writing sessions ignited in the participants. I especially enjoyed when I was leading the teen and young adult groups. That led me to go back to school to meet the qualifications to teach English. Soon in 1997 I was student teaching at Helix Charter High School and was hired the year later. I love the school. I love my job. I especially love working with the students.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road, is it ever really? I have struggled with anxiety since I was a child, but we just called it nervousness ;). Even though I am very social and pretty confident, my anxiety would overwhelm me before an event/activity. When I first started teaching, I would have what I called the Sunday Night Blues which were really more like Sunday Night Panics! I was overwhelmed. I wanted classes to be engaging, rigorous, and for students to feel seen, but that takes time. And, ask any teacher, regardless of grade level, one thing we lack is time. So the time came from arriving super early and working late and on weekends. Luckily, at Helix, I made lifelong friends, and my colleagues were so supportive. When I had my children, I took time off and ran a at home day care. During that time, we had our third child, but unfortunately he passed away when he was 7 weeks old. That intense loss, helped put some of my anxiety in perspective, but the swoosh in my chest was still there. When I returned to teaching, now about 13 years ago, I had another “first year” of teaching — this time it was even harder because I thought (so naive!) that since I had taught it would be easy. Ha! I struggled. Managing my own children and getting back into the swing of teaching was intense! Through therapy, mindfulness, and exercise, I have learned how to live with anxiety in a healthy way. Even though I still work early mornings and on weekends, I have found that I am now more focused on the true work I am doing — which to me is making someone’s life a bit easier (whether by helping them be more literate or brightening their day). This puts my day in perspective and takes the attention off of me onto others.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am most proud of the support I have offered students to find their own voice and to advocate for themselves. This was something I struggled with as child and young adult and sometimes what we wish for ourselves we work hard to give to others. Around 1999, a colleague and I started the fist GSA in East County. We had the full support of our executive director at that time, Doug Smith, even though there was some pushback from the district board and a few parents. Many years later, I helped students advocate for a gender neutral bathroom and Halal menu at school. I guided students to lead staff workshops on gender neutral language and on “What is Ramadan?” Also, I helped students advocate for and create a Mindfulness room — to be used for prayer and mediation. However, the work I have done is comparable to work others have done and do at Helix High School. We believe in the power of student voice and activism.
How do you define success?
This is easy! I often think about Ralph Waldo Emerson’s idea about success: “What is success?
To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate the beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch Or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!”
As a teacher, I feel successful when my students have built a strong community. It is through this community that ideas can be exchanged, that risks are made (in writing, speaking, and thinking), and that they feel comfortable to ask questions (not clarifying, ‘when is this due?” questions, but REAL questions about ideas, readings, and the world.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @aleenjen
