By Tiffany Merlo Phelps
mail@floridanewsline.com
It took just one semester studying Spanish in Seville, Spain, during college for Jessica Boylan to discover her love of languages. It was something that she suspected was tucked away in her brain, courtesy of her Colombian mother. The trip confirmed her suspicions. This would also be the first of several key turning points in her life. The next would happen on a trip back from Colombia when Boylan decided to go home early and got delayed in the Fort Lauderdale airport, causing her to meet her now husband, Gerardo Montanez. He is from Colombia and was also visiting family. After talking in the airport (there is some disagreement about who was more interested), the two discovered that they were not booked on the same flight back to Jacksonville; however, they were able to change the flight and fly home together, talking the whole way back. When they arrived in Jacksonville, they found that their rides (her parents and his sister) had parked very close to each other. So, they got to meet each other’s families right away. Four years later, the couple got married and now have two daughters, Lanna, 9, and Lily, 8, living off County Road 210 West. Montanez, who was a doctor in Colombia, is a healthcare provider in Georgia. Boylan, who has taught English in China, Mexico, and at the University of North Florida (her alma mater), has been a teacher at The Bolles School for 15 years. She earned her undergraduate degree in graphic design and Spanish and her graduate degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. In her free time, she enjoys baking French meringue cookies, so much so that she started Jessica B. Special Sweets, selling at the Palm Valley Market during the summer months and taking online orders year-round.
Q: Explain your position at The Bolles School.
A: I teach academic English to our international students, and I teach Spanish as well. I am also the International Student Academic Advisor for grades nine through 11. I love teaching and advising, and every class is special because I meet students from different countries every year.
Q: Why is the number 19 significant to you?
A: I met my husband on the 19th, my father-in-law’s birthday is on the 19th, we had our first kiss on the 19th, we were married on the 19th and our daughter Lanna was born on the 19th.
Q: You were a professional improvisor for 13 years. What attracted you to improv?
A: I saw an ad in a newspaper for an improv workshop, so I gave it a try. I ended up loving it and did shows throughout Jacksonville. Improv is such a great outlet. I was rather shy and reserved throughout high school and college. I found improv in my 20s. It was a life changer. This helped me professionally, and I also use this type of humor in the classroom. I call it “mental yoga.” It is great to be silly and to not be judged. It is nice to see that take place while the students are learning.
Q: How do you approach life?
A: Accepting what comes your way and always finding a way to move forward with support. This is something that I always tell my students. Don’t take on life on your own, just reach out.
Q: How did you get interested in baking?
A: During the holidays, I wanted to make something special for my daughters’ teachers. I started out with chocolate dipped apples and pretzels, but fell in love with meringues this year. I love seeing everyone’s reactions when they try one. They may have a preconceived notion of what they might taste like, but it is the “yum” reaction that is the best.
[Author’s note: Visit www.jessicaBspecialsweets.com or facebook.com/Jessicabspecialsweets to find out more about Jessica B. Special Sweets.]
Photo courtesy Jessica Boylan
