Tabor is happy to introduce Jennifer Maier, one of the new members of our community. Mrs. Maier teaches ninth and eleventh-grade English and coaches JV Field Hockey, working alongside Mrs. Brannigan this fall.
Originally from the suburbs of Philadelphia, Mrs. Maier did not initially plan to become a teacher. As a child, she dreamed of being a veterinarian or a doctor, a passion that stayed with her throughout high school and college.
After attending an all-girls high school, she found her transition to The University of Pennsylvania a new and exciting venture. Her time at UPenn was filled with memorable experiences and valuable life lessons.
“I enjoyed going to school there. It was in the city, coed, and I started dating Mr. Maier during the spring of my senior year,” Mrs. Maier shared.
At first, Mrs. Maier pursued a pre-med track just as her childhood self had envisioned. However, her love for reading and writing soon surpassed those dreams, leading her to major in English and eventually attend law school.
When asked if she had any regrets about changing her major, Ms. Maier confidently responded, “I have no regrets.”
After college, Mrs. Maier worked in the legal field for quite some time. However, she soon began searching for something more fulfilling. Realizing her passion for working with kids, she transitioned into teaching eighteen years ago. Her first teaching position was at Episcopal Academy in Pennsylvania, and she thoroughly enjoyed her time there. However, due to frequent summer trips in Marion to visit relatives, the idea of working at Tabor lingered in the back of her mind.
“Once the opportunity came up for Mr. Maier to start working at Tabor, it felt like teaching here was meant to be.” said Mrs. Maier.
Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Maier would love to travel. While she used to spend most of her vacations at the Jersey Shore where her parents live, being in Marion now gives the Maiers more flexibility to explore new places.
“I’ve always wanted to spend more time out West, especially in the national parks,” said Mrs. Maier. “I’ve never been to Asia either, so that’s also on my bucket list.”
The Maiers currently have no pets but are starting to think about getting a dog.
“We always had Labrador retrievers, and I know a big dog is Mr. Maier’s first choice. But I’d like a smaller dog, so we might have to get two,” joked Mrs. Maier.
When asked about an item she always carries with her, Mrs. Maier said she finds it easy to get rid of physical possessions, a skill she learned from selling her house and moving to Marion. However, she always carries curiosity with her, which has been a driving force throughout her life.
Mrs. Maier advises all her current and future students to enjoy their high school years, saying, “There is a lot of pressure on young people today from all directions, but high school is such a good time to connect with your classmates and grow, not just as a learner but as a person. If you focus on that, everything will end up well.”
