Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Mott.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The most common question is: How do you just join a circus? The short answer is: I love talking to people, learning about their stories, and quickly saying YES to new opportunities & adventures. The long answer is: I was at the annual WEBN Labor Day fireworks in Cincinnati in September 2006. My friends and I saw some stilt-walkers who were juggling and we thought they were incredibly fun and talented so we went over to talk to them. I told them about how I could juggle (barely), they let me try and the rest, they say, is history. They could not have been nicer, invited me to join them at a practice, and once I convinced my parents to let me go, I never stopped!
That happened to be the fall of my freshman year of college so the job came at a perfect time when I was looking for a college job anyway. I quickly made new friends in the circus and we spent all our free time juggling, passing clubs, learning how to juggle and eat fire, making balloon animals, and walking on stilts. It was such a great find, that soon after – my brother joined and we started doing gigs together.
Within a few months, I was performing in shows and events all over the midwest. It was the best college job I could have imagined and I enjoyed all four years thinking it would be just that – a college job.
Attending college at University of Cincinnati led me to be a high school Spanish teacher. I was a Division 1 college athlete there while also sticking with the circus and eventually earned my Master’s in Curriculum & Instruction as well.
Over the years I have found unbelievable parallels between the work I do on the weekends and in the summers as a circus performer and the work I do on a daily basis in the schools. After presenting at professional conferences for educators for a few years, I finally felt like it was time to bring the two passions together. The first presentation where I both juggled and spoke to teachers in a professional setting was at the University of Dayton in January 2018. There, I spoke to educators from around Ohio on “Incorporating Character Education Into the Curriculum: A Juggling Act.” I not only was asked to come back the following year as Keynote Speaker, I also felt like I tapped into something new and fresh, which has led to this concept of “Entertaining Educator.” Here we are.
In December 2020 I wrapped up a five-and-a-half-year Doctoral program at Xavier University by completing my dissertation on Teacher Perseverance in secondary teachers (all while still working in the circus). Now, as Dr. Jen Mott “The Entertaining Educator,” my goal is to speak to students, teachers, parents, and any other community members passionate about the schools in their area regarding topics that are relevant to education and in our world today. I do not simply want to speak, though; I want to focus on entertaining – on truly engaging my audience in a unique way that incorporates juggling and/or balloon storytelling to give visuals to the key points being addressed. There are clear lessons that can be applied immediately afterwards, too.
Every day I am fortunate to work with students that are constantly willing to learn and grow and with teachers who are dedicated to their craft and passionate about the work they’re doing. I consider it a great joy to be able to have the time to encourage and motivate these groups in ways that are unique in order to remind them how what they do and who they are matters.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I am incredibly fortunate to be where I am today – both professionally & personally. As always, there have been some challenges or obstacles along the way. While every goal has yet to be realized, I consistently discover that things work out for a reason. Additionally, the biggest obstacle to overcome is the journey of becoming the most authentic version of who I am. In the beginning, I was nervous about the intersection of circus and education and kept the two activities pretty separate. Over time, I have been encouraged by colleagues, mentors, students, friends, and family to bring the two together. All have been encouraging, accepting, and supportive of creating The Entertaining Educator concept. Now I am on a mission to motivate others to bring the fullness of who they are into the workplace knowing the more authentic we are, the more encouraging we can all be to bring out the best in those who surround us.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a professional entertainer: juggler, stilt-walker, balloon artist, and fire performer with the Cincinnati Circus Company!
I am also a professional educator: Assistant Principal & Athletic Director at an amazing middle school in the suburbs of Cincinnati as well as an Adjunct Instructor at Xavier University!
Finally, I am a Keynote Speaker working to spread the message of living our lives to our fullest potential for educators, students, corporations, and non-profits through unique stage presentations that involve juggling and fire or special workshops involving interactive balloon-animal making, learning how to juggle, etc.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters to me most personally is that I love the people in my life as best I can – friends and family and strangers alike. This is because in the end I believe all we have is love – how much we give and learn to accept – and I want to live life to the fullest through my love.
What matters to me most professionally is that I love and serve the students and staff that I work with daily to the best of my ability and that I live my work life in such a way that inspires others to bring the best versions of themselves to the table. This is because I want everyone to realize the potential they each have (more than they can imagine or wish for or dream!) so they can fulfill whatever hopes & dreams they desire.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cincinnaticircus.com/jen-mott
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entertainingeducator/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/entertainingeducator
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/jen_mott_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JenMott3
Image Credits
Kathryn Tilmes
