Teaching touches close to home

POTOMAC - Jen Vogel is Potomac School's new special education teacher. Her dedication for teaching and working with students with special needs stems from a love of her students and their families.

Vogel is originally from Florida and moved to Ohio to attend college. Vogel attended The University of Dayton and graduated in 2002 with a Masters in Theology and Bachelors in Religion.

She then met her future husband Chris while working for a defense contractor.

She and Chris married and then began their family. When their son started preschool, he qualified for special education. Vogel said during that journey the team of professionals showed great compassion and dedication for their family.

"It was this team that inspired me to pursue special education."

With Chris's encouragement, Vogel graduated in 2009 from Wright State University with a Masters in Special Education. Vogel taught special education for seven years in Ohio.

The Vogels began searching for a home in an area of the country that was both secluded and beautiful. They eventually set their sights on Missoula. They wanted seclusion, which made Potomac the perfect fit.

"The people we met were honest, considerate but yet not intrusive. I believe it was God's hand leading us here and to this school," said Vogel.

While teaching in Ohio, Vogel found it challenging due to a lack of respect for other teachers and their principal.

"I serviced special education kids in each classroom, and had to have a positive working relationship with each teacher - regardless of their "group" (which often centered around who hated / liked the principal)," said Vogel.

At Potomac School Vogel noticed the teachers are willing to speak up and ask for help from anyone and everyone. She said the Potomac staff is welcoming and are more like a family. This is something she never experienced at the Ohio schools.

"The staff at Potomac is more of a family because many have been here for so long and are so close," she said.

Vogel said this year she is learning the ropes because some Montana laws regarding special education vary from Ohio laws.

"It is a learning process for me and makes this job even more interesting," she said.

She hopes to teach at Potomac for many years. "I bring that same dedication to my position that I witnessed surrounding [my son], and I have the unique perspective of being a parent and teacher of kids with special needs."

The Vogels live in Potomac and have two children and two dogs. In Vogel's spare time, she enjoys multiple projects including woodworking, reading, cooking, gardening and crocheting.

Coming from the outside in, Vogel believes in the positive difference that is Potomac. "There is no big ego in the way - they [teachers] are all here to serve the kids and be the best they can be."