Meet Ms. Jolynn Oliver
We asked our teachers & staff a few questions so that you can get to know them better!
What is your role at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic School?
8th Grade Language Arts & Literature Teacher
What year did you start working at St. Stephen?
2017
Tell us about your education background & about your teaching/work experience.
I am certified to teach German and English. I have a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in K-12 Methods. I have done all the coursework for a doctorate in Educational Leadership. I have not finished the dissertation. I taught German at a high school in LeMars, Iowa. I taught secondary methods, Human Relations, classroom management, and ESL methods at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. I have an international ESL certificate in TESOL, TESL, TEFL. I have been teaching for 34 years.
What do you love about your job?
Finding ways to reach students that are both educational and fun.
Who is your favorite Saint or what is your favorite scripture?
I love reading Psalms. My favorite verse is "Be still and know that I am God." 46:10
Tell us about your family (spouse, children, grandchildren, pets, etc.):
Edward Medlin is the man I have dated for many years. I have three children and four grandchildren. All of my children are married and live in Minnesota and Illinois. During COVID, I decided I needed a pet. I have a cat named Willow.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A Journalist
What is your favorite sweet treat?
ice cream and anything chocolate
Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?
I play the guitar, speak two languages in addition to English, and read all the time.
What’s your favorite thing to do on the weekends?
Relax and prepare for the next week.
What piece of advice would you give parents to help their child(ren) succeed at St. Stephen?
Let the kids make mistakes because they learn so much from them. Don't be a helicopter parent. Give your students autonomy so that they are ready for the next experience.