FAST FIVE: JAMIE LENZ, CHILD WHISPERER
Meet Jamie Lenz, a 35-year-old who was born and raised Coeur d’Alene. Jamie went to Borah Elementary and Canfield Middle School and attended Lake City High School. She has been married to her amazing husband Seth Russler for seven years. They have a wonderful baby boy Kentucky Russler. He is a 1-year-old love of their lives. Jamie has worked for the Coeur d’Alene School District for 12 outstanding years. She feels, at 35 years old, that she is truly blessed. She loves her family, her job and her life.
Generation: Google would say I am probably a millennial. But when I hear “millennials” I think of very knowledgeable tech people and gamers - I am not one of those. I can work a TV, computer, phone and Amazon quite well. I also have a hard time identifying as a millennial because I really enjoy having face-to-face conversations and it seems to me millennials only want to text or email and I seem to struggle with that.
Career and community involvement: I am the district coordinator for the School PLUS program in the Coeur d’Alene School District. I don’t believe you always find child care - it finds you.
1. What motivated you to pursue a career overseeing School PLUS?
I love the School PLUS program and what we do for the families and the children. I started as a School PLUS assistant. I was in that role for six months when a full-time position came open and I applied. During those years, I worked at Borah, Bryan, Fernan and Ramsey elementaries. While working at those locations, I did a little paperwork in the office for School PLUS. When the office manager who had been working for 20-plus years retired, I thought it would be great to learn more of the finance side of School PLUS. While leaving the kids was so hard, I felt like it was a good direction for me. I was in that role for over a year. The district coordinator position became available and I knew how much I loved this program and wanted this program to thrive so I applied. I think what makes me good at this job is that I have worked in all the positions for School PLUS.
2. What exactly is School Plus, and how many kiddos are enrolled throughout the district?
School PLUS is a licensed childcare provider in the Coeur d’Alene School District. We currently serve 672 children. We make sure children have a safe, reliable and fun place to be in the morning and after school.
Our hours are 6:30 to 10 a.m. Mondays, 6:45 to 9 a.m. Tuesday through Friday and 3:30 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. We are open on no-school days, breaks and summers. My outstanding staff are 12-month employees. They make sure the children have fun while in their care. They plan field trips, arts and crafts, games, etc. We also have our Kinder PLUS program currently housed at the Lutheran Church of the Master. This program provides one-way transportation for our kindergarteners.We make sure they have child care when they are not in school. The School PLUS program is funded through parent fees. Thank you to our loyal and great families that support this program.
3. Who was one of your most influential role models when you were a kid?
I am not sure I can name one person, there are so many. I believe it takes a village to raise children.
4. What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
Some people may be surprised to know that I have social anxiety. I get very nervous around people and I either fidget, don’t say anything or talk way too much. I have tried really hard to make it not noticeable. Only few people know that I have this. After this article, people may notice more.
5. If you could share one important lesson you’ve learned working with children, what would it/they be?
An important lesson I would share with parents is your children are always listening. You don’t think so, but they are! And they love to share with adults. I also would share that children love to have conversations. My favorite time of my day used to be 7:15. I would have the kids get out their morning snack from their backpacks and I would grab something small and I would have about 10 to 20 kids talk about what they did last night, or how “we had to run sissy’s dance class and I get bored so I took your advice and did my reading while we waited. Then I had more time with Mom and Dad before I had to go to bed.” Those conversations were the best time of my day. We did not need electronics, or toys. We would just talked. I had a few parents tell me their child would say, “We cannot be late to School PLUS, I can’t miss my time with Miss Jamie!” Talking, communicating, reading to your children, that is the most important lesson I can share with any parent.