Georgia Jekabsons
University of Central Florida
BS Career and Technical Education
Tell us about your family.
I have been married to my husband, Jeff, since 1994. We moved to Florida from New Jersey in 2004. We have 3 children -- Sarah, born in 1999, who loves music, plays the flute, mentors middle school youth group kids, and is studying to be a teacher; Emily, born in 2002, who loves drums, guitar, basketball, and is planning to be a nurse; and Ian, born in 2007 and adopted from China in 2012, who loves to run, play basketball, do jigsaw puzzles, and build things with Legos.
Why did you become a teacher?
I became a teacher after being a stay-at-home mom for ten years. SRCS was in need of a few specialty teachers, and because of God's blessings on me of several talents, I was able to answer His call. It was God's idea for me to teach, and I wasn't sure I was going to be good at it, but He has helped me grow over the years, and I continue to learn how to be a better teacher, mentor, and small group leader every day.
What do you most enjoy about your job?
I love teaching! I love what I teach and who I teach! I love the relationships I am building with my students and coworkers. I originally began teaching grammar school art, music, and technology in 2008. Over the years, my position has changed to teaching only technology. I run all of my classes in Google Classroom. I teach General Technology including all things Google and Coding for 4th-6th, plus Programming and Robotics for 7th-12th grade. We have a lot of fun in my classes, and many students say Tech or Robotics is their favorite! I love it!
I enjoy teaching students in the grammar grades and continuing to teach them through middle school and into high school, cultivating a long-term relationship with them through teaching, coaching, and small groups. I love getting to really know their hearts and being able to do life with them and pray for them. I especially enjoy the "aha moments" when a student learns something new and shares their excitement out loud! That kind of excitement is really prominent when I'm coaching the Robotics Team and we all work together to build and program a robot for competition.
Tell us a favorite quote.
"Do. Or do not. There is no try." - Yoda (Star Wars)
"Failure is not an option." - Gene Kranz, NASA flight director
Anything else you'd like us to know about you?
I have a few Bible verses I have claimed as my life verses. I hold these in my heart and turn to them often.
Philippians 4:13 (ESV) - I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV) - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Philippians 4:6 (NIV) - Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Matthew 6:34 (NIV) - Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
