Behind the doors of room 425 lies one of the most highly favored teachers at South Hills High, Jennette Hert. She has been teaching for 24 years. She teaches peer counseling, AVID, and psychology, but what led her to choosing this career path?
“My dream job used to be a housewife, but teaching was up there on the list. It’s the greatest job in the entire world,” Hert said. “I get to meet new little school babies, and I’ve met people that have become my best friends. I love South Hills overall.”
Before Hert entered into the teaching world, her occupation involved being in the medical field.
“I´ve worked as a cardiologist and aspired to be a physician assistant before teaching,” Hert said.
Even though her primary goal was to help individuals via the medical field, she still ended up helping people in another way- by being a mentor to those who have entered her classroom.
Brianna Higuera (11) shared that Hert is one of the few teachers that puts themselves in their students ́ shoes, and doesn’t put a whole workload upon their students.
“I love peer counseling and psychology class with Mrs. Hert because she gives us mental breaks and makes the class really fun,” Higuera said. “Whenever I´m having a bad day, walking into her classroom uplifts my mood. She’s just really understanding in a student’s point of view.”
Another one of Hert´s students, Delilah Meza (12) shares her thoughts. “I really like Mrs. Hert because her class is really easy, and she’s just a great person overall,” Meza said.
Lindsay Diaz (11) shared some insight of her classroom. “She makes it [the class] seem like a family and is very welcoming. I´ve made a lot of friends in that class,” Diaz said.
Outside of the classroom, Hert spends a lot of time with her family.
“In my free time, I like to cook, go on vacations with my family, visit my daughters in college and watch their sporting games,” Hert said.
As an individual who cares deeply about her students, and all about living a life of respect and graciousness, I finally wanted to ask Hert to provide me with some words of wisdom for incoming students and new adults going out into the world.
“To live with integrity, under commit and overdeliver. Basically, when people ask you to do things, make sure you keep your word and give your best,” Hert said.
