“I always wanted to teach,” said Mrs. Jen Laaksonen, also known as Frau. She used to pretend to be a teacher and make her friends and sister be the students.

Laaksonen attended Ashwaubenon High School and grew up right around Packer Stadium.

Laaksonen started her college career in international relations but later realized, “I didn’t like my first choice.”

She had always had a passion for teaching but did not pursue it right away.

“I got real ‘in my head’ for what success meant at 18,” she told the Journalism I class.

In other words, she wanted to be successful and have big paychecks to look forward to.

Gradually she realized that her happiness was more important.

“Being a teacher didn’t sound like success,” she explained. “But then I realized I did want to be a teacher.”

Laaksonen has taught a variety of subjects at NDA, including Spanish, Public Performance, Computer Applications, German and AV Productions, the class that produces The Morning Show.

In addition to serving as executive adviser to Student Government, she also wears the “hat” of Director of Student Activities, a role that has her overseeing and coordinating club activities.

Despite all her roles, she reverts back to her childhood preference: “Teaching is the greatest reward but hardest challenge.”