Meet our PYP Coordinator and Year 2/3 teacher for our Robin class!

“Each day is different, and I particularly love the sense of humour that innately comes from working with young people.”

— Mrs Jenna Fritz

What is your name?

Jenna Fritz

What is your role?

Robin Class Teacher & PYP Coordinator

Why do you enjoy teaching?

Those "light up" moments when a child suddenly makes a connection in their learning, or realises they can do something for the first time. Having the privilege to guide students through the early years of their educational journey, when joy and wonder are the staple daily building blocks of life. I love the relationships being a teacher allows you to build with your class, and the incredible feeling you get when you look back on their progress throughout the year. Each day is different, and I particularly love the sense of humour that innately comes from working with young people. At the end of the day, the more fun they have, the more fun my job is, and the more they are learning about the world, the more I am learning about helping them do that! I have also been given the immense responsibility to lead the Primary department in implementing and developing the IB Primary Years' Programme here. It has been a steep learning curve for me, but one that has helped me grow, not only as an educator, but also as a designer of curriculum, and a leader for our wonderful team of teachers.

Why did you choose Landmark?

After teaching in International Schools overseas for just over 10 years, I have been lucky to have experienced many different countries, curriculum’s and cultures. I have relished the challenges and opportunities this has given me, and how it has contributed to my international philosophy of education and my outlook on life. Upon returning to my home in the UK, I was thrilled to find a school that shared my ethos for a forward-thinking, inclusive education, based on supporting students to be global citizens. I truly believe the only way we can thrive and succeed is to work together celebrating our differences and widening our understanding of our shared humanity.

What did you do before this position, how long I have you been teaching?

I studied for my BA in Media in London and worked for a year in a publishing company before finding my soul in a classroom during a volunteer teaching placement in Ghana. On my return to the UK, I completed my PGCE in London and worked for a year in a Primary school in Brixton. I then decided to move overseas to achieve my dream of seeing the world whilst teaching in international schools. I taught for 3 years in Phnom Penh in Cambodia, 5 years in Bogota, Colombia, and 4 years in Muscat, Oman. I have been at Landmark since 2020.

What are your hobbies?

I love the outdoors, so you will usually find me walking my dog in the wide open countryside near where I live in Ely, paddle boarding down a lazy river, cycling, running or pitching my tent around the UK to take in all the amazing sights I missed whilst travelling the world! I have been very lucky to tick off most of my bucket list, so I can count sailing in the Gulf of Oman, scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef, abseiling down Indonesian waterfalls, scrambling over the ruins of Angkor Wat and caving through ancient Mayan underground temple complexes all part of my happy places!

Have you got a fun fact about yourself?

I have made it a mission to visit more than 45 countries, and have utilised as many unusual forms of transport as I can, including: helicopter, submarine, hot air balloon, 4 seater Cessner plane, camel, donkey, paraglider, catamaran, canoe, elephant and tuk tuk!

What inspires you to get out of bed in the morning?

Knowing that what I do makes a difference to other people in my job. I get a true sense of fulfilment in helping others to reach their potential, and knowing that I have myself inspired someone else, is the highest accolade I can think of!

What is your favourite school lunch?

Salad in summer and soup in winter, I am quite predictable!