7th Grade ELA

Welcome to 7th Grade ELA! My name is Jennifer Maertens, and I am excited to be your English Language Arts teacher this year. This is my 17th year teaching, and I am thrilled to be returning to Orion, where I've spent 13 of those years helping students grow as readers and writers.

When I'm not in the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our family on our farm in Galva. We have two daughters, Ayla, who is starting 6th grade, and Emmalyn, who is starting 3rd grade. We also have a four-year-old German Shepherd named Charley, who keeps us busy! As a family, we enjoy playing with him, relaxing together, and making memories. In my free time, you'll usually find me reading, playing board games, or watching game shows like The Price Is Right and Family Feud.

This year, we'll read engaging books, strengthen our writing skills, and explore new ideas together. My goal is to create a classroom where everyone feels welcome, respected, and encouraged to do their best. I hope our classroom becomes a place where students enjoy learning, sharing ideas, and discovering a love of reading and writing.

Families, thank you for sharing your child with me. I value the partnership between home and school and encourage you to reach out whenever you have questions or concerns. I look forward to getting to know all of you and making this a wonderful school year!