Esther has 26 years of experience in public education as a teacher of English in a junior high school in Kansas City, a high school teacher in urban Philadelphia, and a central office administrator working with categorical programs.   She co-created a distinguished school-based program to support low-income marginal students, wrote and won large grants for her school, and was selected Teacher of the Year in the Philadelphia School District in 1986.

A parent and a teacher

"I've been both a single parent and a teacher.  I know what it's like to be so wildly busy you don't take time to do much with your child.   I also know how wildly frustrating it is to teach students whose parents don't do even the smallest things to help the kids become successful in school.

"More and more, I believe that the schooling in this country isn't going to get substantially better until there are more supportive alliances between the home and the school.

"So I've become an entrepreneur because I have ideas and I believe we can create ways to help schools help parents help children."

A long term vision realized

The most recent publication created by Esther Jantzen is PLUS IT! How to Easily Turn Everyday Activities into Learning Adventures for Kids. This is a must-have book for all moms and dads and it's great for grandparents, babysitters, and teachers, too!

To PLUS IT! means to make something you're already doing a little bit better - easily. It's a way to add value and fun to a routine home life without a lot of time, trouble, or cost.

The first publication of JantzenBooks, Inc. was the Way to Go! Family Learning Journal™system, designed to support parents in effectively helping children become better readers and learners.

"I'm committed to assisting schools to fulfill their missions by showing families how to do loving activities that support children in becoming joyful learners."

She earned a B.A. in English from Bethel College, North Newton, Kansas; an M.Ed. in Psychology of Reading from Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa.; an M.A. in Applied Psychology from the University of Santa Monica, Ca; and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Temple University.

Ideas I live by

Sixty is the new 30.
Attitude is everything. Gratitude is the best attitude.
Create multiple streams of income.
Only the best is good enough for our children.