Sometimes the career you were chasing in college turns out to not be the career for you. That’s what happened to Shive Elementary 2022-23 Teacher of the Year Courtney Jansa.
Courtney, who teaches fifth grade Reading/Language Arts and Social Studies, graduated from New Caney High School and headed to Tarleton State University with the goal of becoming an exercise physiologist. She earned her bachelor degree in kinesiology and master’s degree in exercise physiology, and went to work in the physical therapy department at Wilbarger General Hospital.
She was the leader of the cardio-pulmonary rehab program when she felt a push to move in a different direction.
“I took a leap of faith of leaving a career I wanted so badly to work out, but God had other plans,” Courtney explained. “He closed doors that I was trying to force open. I opened those doors at two different points within exactly a year of each other. He kept laying on my heart to become a teacher because of my love for kids.”
The tug to become a teacher became even stronger after Courtney gave birth to her daughter Grace.
“My heart was yearning for more time with her and those doors to my past career were shutting. I finally applied (with VISD) and then one door opened quickly into the teaching profession. I truly feel love for this career and for the students,” she said.
Courtney, who has been a teacher for four years, has only taught at VISD and she can’t see herself teaching anywhere else.
“I like the students and the community,” Courtney said. “Vernon has a sense of teamwork and community, and I love that. I have felt the small-town vibe since I moved here. The students are the reason I love to teach. They have such big hearts, and so much love and passion to become the best they can be.”
Courtney is married to Shane Jansa, who is a farmer, and they have two children, Grace age 5, and Ryder age 2.
When she isn’t in the classroom, Courtney loves being on the farm with her cows and keeping up with and chasing around her two kids.