“Jill is Just Magic”: A Lifelong Journey of Connection and Care

When entering Jill Larsen’s classroom to interview her as Birch Creek Elementary’s Teacher of the Year, she was busy assembling a colorful “reading tent” for her students. The teepee in question had been resting quietly in the family’s crawl space for over a decade since her children had last used it. But when her first-graders expressed excitement about the idea of a special reading nook, she crawled down there and retrieved it for a class reading activity. She set it up while her first-graders were away at PE. And when they returned, the tent had suddenly appeared!

It is little wonder, then, that Principal Trudy Wilson describes Mrs. Larsen as a bit of a magician. “Jill is just magic,” she said. “The kids are engaged– she’s really fun. She kind of tricks them into learning. They don’t have any idea how rigorous her academics are while she’s just playing and having fun with these cute little first-graders.

Mrs. Larsen’s "magic" is fueled by a lifelong passion and a deep family legacy. Growing up in a household of educators, she saw firsthand the power a teacher has to shift a child's trajectory.

“I was inspired to become a teacher as I saw firsthand how a caring, committed educator can change a student's path… to make a meaningful difference every day, as my sisters and mom did. The elementary years are where students develop their attitudes toward learning, and I wanted to be someone who helps build that strong foundation.” 

In practice, Larsen’s teaching career began at home as she raised her four children. Once they were in school, she joined Birch Creek’s paraprofessional team and served there for many years. In 2017, she made the leap to full-time first-grade teaching, and she hasn’t looked back.

“I cherish it,” Larsen shared. “My favorite part of being a teacher is watching students grow. There's nothing more rewarding than knowing I play a small role in shaping how students view themselves as learners. I strive to create a classroom where children feel supported, excited to take risks, and are proud of their own progress!” 

Larsen cultivates that sense of belonging with ease. Those around her delight in her warmth. Whether it’s a nervous new student or a veteran colleague, everyone in her orbit feels her support. 

One parent recalled her family's move and subsequent transition into the Birch Creek boundaries. She wrote, “Jill Larsen has made such a positive impact on my son. He was nervous to start school here, but when we met Jill, she instantly made us feel comforted, seen, and supported. Her classroom environment is safe, warm, and inviting. She is just wonderful.”

Principal Wilson notes that this is Larsen's superpower. “Jill makes connections with students at any level,” she said. “She just… becomes their person. I think if you were to ask any of her students– or former students, they would say that they were her favorite student, because she makes them feel that way.”

Larsen’s colleagues emphatically agree. 

“I can’t think of anyone more deserving of Teacher of the Year than Jill Larsen,” one wrote. “She teaches with love and makes every student feel valued and safe. No matter the challenge, she meets it with patience, compassion, and belief in her students’ potential.” 

Principal Wilson summarized it best. “Again, my catchphrase: Jill is just magic. Her students are fortunate to have her, and we are fortunate to have her at Birch Creek.”

Congratulations to Jill Larsen, a teacher who proves that with enough heart and a little bit of “magic,” every student can thrive.