Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeri Prigge.
Jeri, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
A benefit of being a senior citizen is that you have a lengthy past to ponder. In doing so, I have found that I am fortunate enough to be living my best life! While some would argue that my life has been a bit unconventional in terms of success, this college drop out would disagree. I married my high school sweetheart at age 18, when we both ended our VERY SHORT college careers to start our family. While still reeling from the shock of this change of plans, I realized that at my very core, I knew that all I truly wanted was to be a mom and a teacher. And I was determined to be the very best at both. While I did not find myself teaching in a classroom, I did have the opportunity to be a teacher all of my life. I was a piano teacher for 15 years, teaching up to 40 lessons a week. I was the general manager of 3 hotels where I trained and managed a staff of 120. My husband and I owned and operated our own deli/catering/ bakery business for 19 years. And now that I am retired, the last piece of my employment puzzle fits perfectly…I am a para at our elementary school. I began there working with a student who is in a wheelchair. I found that she wasn’t able to carry her iPad and learning tools while operating her chair. I decided to sew her a little quilted bag for carrying her tools. I hand embroidered her name on the bag. Students were all SO EXCITED to also have a bag. I began taking orders every day … getting their favorite colors and names for the bags. I ended up making a bag for every student in our school. I have since made bags for another local Christian school, a women’s shelter, book clubs, Bible studies, piano book bags and a neighboring town’s kindergarten book buddies. My total is 988 bags. My bags are always made with donated fabric, always gifted and made with love. Each year I make sure that all new incoming students get a personalized bag. My bag project has enabled me to make a connection with every single student. I am on the receiving end of endless loving hugs every day. What could be finer!!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
While my “success” has certainly not always been easy ( many years living paycheck to paycheck, feelings of failure at not getting a college degree, not having many of the material things that our professional friends had), I really can look back and see how perfectly imperfect my path has been. It was all a learning curve. I was never afraid to jump in and learn or be the hardest worker in the pack. I learned that I was an organized person and could lead others. I identified my strengths and used them. In all of my endeavors, I find a way to CONNECT with each person I’m in contact with. For some reason that creates miracles!!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I now work with individual students who need extra help. I love working one on one with them and I try to find ways to help them learn while also making them feel like they are my special person. For example, I take one friend for a short 7 minute walk through the halls every day ( just a break for him to calm himself). I started reading to him from a simple chapter book, while we walk. He absolutely LOVES this special time we have together. We are reading “Frog and Toad” books so I purchased two inexpensive Frog and Toad t-shirts for us to wear and a new book for him to take home. We are now best buddies sharing our love of reading!
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t believe in luck. I am grateful for all of the wonderful opportunities I have been given on my path. I am blessed with 48 years of marriage ( to my highschool sweetheart), 3 beautiful daughters, 6 grand girls and I live in the most beautiful place in the world! It’s been my heaven on earth! Luck? No…it’s all been a gift!
