Hi there, I am Jolene Huston. I am a mother, wife, teacher and friend.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have been married to my husband Ward for 33 years. We were high school sweethearts. I have a 27 year old son,Jake, who recently got married to his high school sweetheart Hannah. I also have a 24 year old daughter, Annika, and she is dating her college sweetheart Tommy. We are lovers of German Shorthair dogs, and our on our seventh dog.
Q: How long have you lived and/or worked in Big Lake?
I live in Buffalo and am going on my 20th year of teaching in Big Lake.
Q: Tell us about your current, past, or future career.
I have taught both third and fourth grade at Independence elementary. Before becoming a teacher I worked for an industrial supply company called Grainger. When I work there I was a trainer and that is when I realized I wanted to be a teacher.
Q: Have you ever had a nickname? What is it and why were you given it?
My nickname is George. I got this nickname because when I was younger I had long blonde hair and so did a wrestler named gorgeous George. I have had the nickname nearly all of my life. It is mainly used by my lifelong friends.
Q: What is your favorite TV Show, Movie, Book? (Please list as many as you’d like!)
I really like drama television shows. Shows like Burn Notice, Elementary, Body of Proof, etc. I like to watch feel good movies. Something that doesn’t require a lot of thought just a happy feeling at the end. I also love Pixar movies. I am an avid reading and like to ready a variety of genres. Recently I have been reading a lot of psychological thrillers. The ones that always have a unique twist at the end.
Q: If you could only eat one food/meal and have one beverage for the rest of your life, what would it be?
The food would be a potato. The beverage for anyone who knows me would be a Diet Mountain Dew.
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies or pastimes?
I love to make puzzles and to garden. In the summer I enjoy being at the cabin at Breezy Point.
Q: What is one thing on your bucket list?
I would love to hike on the Appalachian trail.
Q: What would you buy/do if you won the lottery?
I would be completely out of debt and go on a European cruise with my family.
Q: What has been a challenge you have had to overcome? (Life, School, Work, etc.)
I think just finding a balance between work and home life. As a teacher there is always many things to do to make your students’ school experience meaningful and a person needs to balance that out.
Q: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I wish that I drank more water. I know that sounds like it should be easy, but I just struggle with that.
Q: Who has been a hero in your life?
My mom. She always knew just the right thing to say or not say. She was the best listener around.
Q: What is something even your family and friends may not know about you?
I can’t tell, then they would know.
Q: What is your proudest accomplishment?
I am proud to be a good mom and teacher to my students.
Q: What are a few of your favorite businesses / restaurants in Big Lake?
I really like McPete’s. It is a fun place to go and wind down after work. I also like the wholesale store. I mean who doesn’t like a good deal.
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Big Lake?
That I get to work in the community and I have gotten to know so many families. I love the relationships that have been built over the years.
Q: What advice would you give to people living in Big Lake?
Get to know your neighbors there are a lot of really cool people in this town.
Q: Who is an interesting person in our community that you’ve met and deserves to be included in The Faces of Big Lake project?
Robert Hoekstra but, I have no idea how to spell his last name!
