Bio

Rachel Arens is a high school English teacher currently staying at home to care for her three young children. Rachel grew up outside of Chicago, and lived in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin while attending college, completing a year of service, and earning a graduate degree in English Literature. After completing her Masters at Marquette University, Rachel left higher education to teach high school English, participating in Teach for America in Chicago before moving to Minnesota with her husband David in 2013. Rachel taught English at DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis for 11 years before taking time off to stay home with her three young children (ages 6, 4, and 2). Although she misses teaching high schoolers, Rachel has tried to put her teaching skills to use by planning her own weekly curriculum for her kids throughout the summer when they are all home. In addition to spending time with her family, Rachel also enjoys reading, running, baking, sewing, and traveling.

Parenting Philosophy

“We’re taught to expect unconditional love from our parents, but I think it is more the gift our children give us. It’s they who love us helplessly, no matter what or who we are” (Kathryn Harrison). I recently heard this quote referenced on a podcast, and it rang true for me and my approach to parenting. My children have given me the gift of unconditional love, and what a precious, sacred gift that is. With such a blessing comes a great responsibility. As a teacher, I know that the students I impacted the most are the ones that I developed strong relationships with; as a mother, I think about how much more impactful my teaching is for my children, with whom I have the closest relationships with. While there are many values that I hope to impart to my children, some of the most important are kindness and empathy, curiosity and a love of learning, and self-confidence and independence. One thing my mother told me is that our job as parents is to prepare our children to one day be independent adults. For me this has meant showing them how to walk and then allowing them the space to stumble and fall, while also being there to help them back up. As an English teacher, I used literature to help my students develop a sense of empathy for people whose experiences are different from their own. As a mother, I also intentionally choose books and read to my children frequently to help build empathy. Additionally, books form the cornerstone of the summer curriculum I have developed for my children over the past two years. By exploring topics such as bugs and birds, the human body, rainforests, kindness, space, and geology through books, activities, art, and field trips, I hope to encourage curiosity about the world and a love of learning in my children.

Motherhood and Community

Minnesota Toy Library – We have been members of the Minnesota Toy Library since my oldest was a young toddler. Since I left my job a year and a half ago, I have been volunteering regularly at the toy library, 1-2 times per month. The mission of the toy library is to “reduce waste, promote child development, and build community.” Members pay an annual fee (sliding scale) and are able to check out up to 5 toys on each visit. Like a regular library, toys are returned and exchanged every 2-4 weeks. As a member, my kids have brought home so many different toys based on their current interests or level of development. Some have been a huge hit, while others were only played with for a week. The toy library allows us to try new toys without contributing to the ever increasing piles of trash across the world. It has taught my children the importance of recycling and conservation, as well as taking good care of our possessions so we can share them with others. As a volunteer, I open and close the library, reshelve and organize toys, check toys in and out for members, label new toys, reunite missing pieces and help members find specific toys. Being part of this organization has helped me and my family become more mindful about our toy purchase and consumption while also being a fun place for us to visit and build community with other families. Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion – Since my daughter began kindergarten here last year, I have volunteered in various capacities within her classroom and the school. It has been a privilege and a blessing to be able to support her teachers through chaperoning field trips, planning and participating in class parties, decorating the classroom door and contributing funds/requested items to support teachers and students. I have also volunteered in the school library/media center and with the annual book fair (both fun activities for an English teacher!).