Hanna Chu
Staff Writer
Jessica Leonard
ArticleNot many people have the courage to start singing “America the Beautiful” a capella in front of a large group of people, even if that group consists of a class of kindergarteners. Senior Jessica Leonard, however, simply started singing alone in hopes that the children would sing along.
They didn’t. In fact, in the middle of Leonard’s performance, a little girl shouted out “Ok! New song!”
Leonard, an education major, student teaches a kindergarten class at Park Oaks Elementary in Thousand Oaks. “The best part of teaching,” she said, “is leaving every day thinking that the students have learned a lot from you.”
Not only does Leonard student teach, but as a graduating senior, she is trying to make the most of her last semester at Pepperdine. She is a member of the sorority Pi Beta Phi and the club College Republicans, attends University Ministries, and is part of the homecoming court this year.
As a Pi Phi, Leonard was assistant rush chair in 2003, president for a semester in 2004, and has also been the social-interest group chair, publicity chair and the homecoming chair. Leonard has been incredibly busy during her four years here, but she says, she would “do it again in a heartbeat.”
What made you want to become a teacher?
It’s the only thing I’m really passionate about, and I enjoy doing it. I feel like if I did other things, I’d hate it. Teaching lets me be myself and use my creativity.
How is student teaching going?
It’s really fun. The kids are hilarious. They don’t think they’re being funny, but they’re off-the-wall. They just make my day.
So what is your family like?
My mom is like Michelle Pfeiffer in “Dangerous Minds.” She teaches dropouts. My dad is like Robert Deniro in “Meet the Fockers. I’m serious. My dad was in the Navy. I have one older brother and two older sisters. I always wanted a younger brother though, but my mom would say to me “No Jess, you’re the last one.” I even asked for a baby brother for Christmas one year, but I got a puppy instead. I don’t remember what kind of dog it was. It died a week later of some weird doggie disease. That was the worst Christmas ever.
What was it like having a dad in the Navy?
We moved a lot. We lived in Naples, Italy for three years. I don’t remember the big moves, but after we got back from Italy, we moved from house to house because my parents didn’t find the house they wanted to buy.
Aren’t you glad that you have a little sis in your sorority since you didn’t have any younger siblings?
I love my little sis. She is so great. We seriously hang out all the time and laugh so much together.
Submitted 02-10-2005