Valerie Jaehnert
Middle School
Math Teacher
vrjaehnert@hclsindy.com
I handle
As part of the middle school team at Holy Cross Lutheran, I teach the organized chaos of mathematics—where mistakes become stepping stones, perseverance pays off, and practice turns confusion into confidence.
Why I love teaching
I love teaching math because I get to be both a cheerleader and a guide for my students. So many people have one difficult experience with a part of math and end up deciding they don’t like any of it. I enjoy helping students see that they are capable of understanding math and building confidence one step at a time.
What I love most about math is that it has structure. There are rules, patterns, and procedures that help us solve problems and make sense of the world. Those predictable outcomes show up not only on paper but also in nature, architecture, music, and art. Seeing those connections fills me with wonder, and I love sharing that excitement with my students. My hope is that they leave my classroom with stronger math skills and the confidence to tackle challenges, even when the answer doesn’t come right away.
Experience
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BS of Mathematics
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Teaching licenses: Elementary Education K-6, Middle School Mathematics 6-9
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Building Substitute grade 5-8
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Assistant to middle school nurse (organizing, phone calls, and data entry)
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4th/5th grade teacher with focus of Catholic faith and English/Language Arts/Reading
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6th-8th Math Teacher
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Liaison for Algebra with the local high school independent learning
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Mother of 2, active aunt and babysitter of 5
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Substitute MS math at HCLS
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Preschool teacher of 3 & 4 year old students
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6th & 7th Math Teacher
Where do you see God’s handprints in your job here?
One of the clearest ways I see God’s handprint in my work is when someone—whether they’re three years old or thirteen—begins connecting the dots. Watching understanding replace uncertainty is a beautiful reminder that God created us to learn, grow, and discover.
God is a God of order, and I see His design reflected in mathematics. The patterns, relationships, and logic we uncover are woven throughout His creation—from nature and art to architecture and music. Through the gifts of reason, communication, and free will, we are able to explore those patterns, share ideas, and use math as a universal language that connects people across our school, our community, and our world. Helping students recognize those connections is one of the greatest joys and privileges of my calling as a teacher.