The making of an international English teacher
MINOT, N.D. – Robin Jaeger-Hauer is what many would consider an authority on the English language.
He earned a bachelor’s in English education from Minot State in 2019, obtained his teaching license, has taught English in North Dakota schools, and is currently on schedule to complete his master’s degree in education from Minot State in spring 2021.
Quite simply, the guy knows his English. And it isn’t even his first language.
Jaeger-Hauer was born and raised in Brunswick, Germany, a small city approximately 150 miles south of Berlin. Growing up, Jaeger-Hauer learned English in school and developed an interest in the prospect of one day visiting the United States. His opportunity came sooner rather than later when he was accepted as an exchange student and spent a year of high school in Bismarck.
Jaeger-Hauer’s positive study abroad experience compelled him to return to North Dakota the following year, this time as a college student, initially at Bismarck State College before transferring to Minot State.
“I wanted to be certified to teach both English and German after college, and Minot State and the University of North Dakota were the only two schools in the state that could offer me this minor,” Jaeger-Hauer said. “After touring both campuses and talking to faculty and staff, I quickly decided to attend Minot State.”
Jaeger-Hauer admits that he had his reservations about moving from Bismarck to Minot. Bismarck had become his American home-away-from-home, and Minot was a completely new environment. However, Jaeger-Hauer soon was convinced that he had made the right choice after meeting his professors and being welcomed into the Minot State community.
“Specifically, I remember talking to professor Jean-François Mondon, one of the foreign language instructors, and he seemed thrilled about having an international student from Germany at the school. Since I felt valued, appreciated, and wanted after my visits to the Minot State campus, I knew I wanted to go to school here.”
Minot State quickly became a new home for Jaeger-Hauer. After earning his bachelor’s degree, and deciding that he wanted to attend graduate school, there was no other consideration but Minot State.
“The faculty is extremely caring, especially everybody in the education department, and I completely feel at home,” Jaeger-Hauer said. “Minot State has such a great diversity among the students, with students coming from all parts of the United States, Canada, and the rest of the world. The diversity really makes for a nice mix with all kinds of students. I have been able to form many friendships that will last a lifetime.”
When he’s not hitting the books, or even sometimes when he is, there’s a good chance you can find Jaeger-Hauer at the Wellness Center where he works part time.
“It’s a great spot to get a workout in, with all weights and equipment anybody could ask for, and it gives me a nice break from the busy academic life of a college student,” Jaeger-Hauer said. “I even go to the Wellness Center to get my homework done, because I can focus much better in one of its conference rooms than at home. In fact, I spend so much time there that people have asked me if I live there.”
After finishing his master’s degree next spring, Jaeger-Hauer hopes to teach English and German at a middle school or high school in the United States, something he already had a chance to do as a part of his practicum and student-teaching experience at Burlington-Des Lacs Middle School and Wachter Middle School in Bismarck.
While Jaeger-Hauer has grown accustomed to his life in North Dakota, he is willing to go wherever he is needed after he graduates.
“I am open for anything,” Jaeger-Hauer said. “It does not fully matter where I end up, or at what grade level, as long as I can start doing what I love and have a great passion for: teaching and making a difference in students' lives.”
About Minot State University
Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through
rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.
| Published: 08/12/20 |
