With a class of Charlotte Latin School second graders at her feet, Jennifer Fauser prepares them for a Tuesday: previewing their schedule, encouraging them, and asking them to define the word “hero.”

“Someone who can save you,” says one student.

“Someone who’s helpful and kind to all,” suggests another.

“Someone who supports you,” says a third.

With her unflagging positivity and her devotion to the children in her care, Fauser is a hero of the Lower School herself. She’s been teaching for 18 years, the last two at Latin. After turning the definition of “hero” back to her students, asking them to think about ways in which they may have been heroic by helping other people, she kicks off their day with a game of “Hullabaloo.” She matches up a mode of locomotion with a greeting and a topic of conversation: for example, students might need to walk like a zombie, shake hands with a classmate, and then share what their favorite dessert is. As the second graders shamble around the carpet, the joy in the room is infectious.

During her lunch break, Fauser sits down for a conversation about her life in and out of the classroom. But she issues a warning: “I’m just a regular person doing what I love who enjoys being with her family at home.”

Why are you a teacher?

It was my second calling in life. Once I had children, helping my own girls learn how to read and how to do math created the fire in me to change career paths. I didn’t want to go back to what I was doing before. 

What were you doing previously?

I was in auto insurance. I had different hats: my last hat was as a manager of the auto damage unit. I was a litigation specialist in Florida; injury claims went to court and we settled them with our attorneys. I was managing a group of people who didn’t necessarily want to be there every day, whereas now my classroom is filled with people who are curious and eager to learn.

How are you a better teacher now than when you started?

I wonder all the time what the kids learned my first year! What I know now is a culmination of everything I’ve picked up along the way. I’ve had really good mentors and every day I come in and learn something new. Now I know that you’ve got to plan, but it’s going to change: let the kids dictate the pace you’re going at, because some will learn something new fast and some won’t. I also let them self-teach each other. For example, in math, I’ll present a problem at the beginning and we’ll have a math talk, during which they’re not allowed to ask me questions. Then they’ll talk within their groups: I’ve taught them that it’s okay to disagree, but they have to listen and ask, “Well, why do you think that?” They learn that sometimes their answer isn’t right, or that there can be more than one right answer: even if they’re off base, it’s important that they can agree to disagree.

How does that affect the culture of your classroom?

We talk a lot about “If someone were to walk into this room, what would they hear?” Pencils on the paper, pages turning, people talking respectfully to each other.

Do you remember what you were like when you were a second grader?

I do. Second grade was when I began to notice everyone around me. I had my first crush in second grade. I also remember my teachers in second grade: I felt their love, and I felt like I was home. Recreating that feeling is really important to me. When a kid shows up in the morning, whether they’re having a good day or a bad day, you know they’re with you now and you want to make them feel like they belong to this community. I love going to their extracurricular activities: I’ve gotten invited to field hockey games and art exhibits.

Outside the classroom, how do you enjoy spending your time?

If I had a free day where I could do anything, I would be taking my dog for a walk — we have an English springer spaniel — and spending time with my family. I’m very competitive when it comes to games. We like to play dominoes, or at least I like to play dominoes. I love Mexican train dominoes, but I have to coerce my family to play with me. The other night around 9:30, I was in my jammies, getting ready for bed. My youngest said, “Want to play dominoes?” I said, “You’re not very sincere — you’re only offering because I’m getting ready to go to bed.” She laughed.

Do you have a favorite day of the school year?

I love the first day: the excitement and the uncertainty of them coming in. I don’t like the last day: thinking about it now, I could cry. I can’t wait for Grandparents’ Day again, seeing them on the stage, and I’ll go peek at them during swim lessons too, spreading their wings and trying something they may be afraid of. Sometimes I have to turn my head because I have tears in my eyes. 

Tell me something about Latin that you didn’t know before you started working here.

I didn’t expect how friendly everyone would be! I got a flurry of emails welcoming me when I was still at my old job. I grew up in Charlotte, although I never even came onto the campus. But when I first came here, it felt like home.

How have you seen second graders change in the last 18 years?

They’re very technically savvy now. And I think they’ve become more mature at this age, but I try to remind them that they’re still kids, and that’s okay. The other day, one of my students was sitting here and she said, “Hey, I finished my snack. Clap for me!” We all started laughing, but we cheered for her. It’s okay for second graders to do silly fun things and be kids.