About Jan Hochstetler
AUTHOR, EDUCATOR, SPEAKER
Jan Hochstetler is an author, educator, child advocate and lover of almond M&M’s. She finds joy connecting with people and as a type seven Enneagram (the Enthusiast), is able to effortlessly spark conversation with just about anyone. She thrives when engaging in deep and meaningful conversations, especially those focused on nurturing children and inspiring personal growth.
About Always More to Learn
“Always More to Learn" is a book about my life as an educator and the unlikely path that led me to becoming the principal of a startup Christian elementary school serving mostly minority and low-income youth in Iowa City. It is a book about trusting God amid disappointments, which includes teacher burnout, and using my experiences to help me better understand others.
Ultimately I rediscovered the joy of being an educator when I became directly involved with the unique mission at Faith Academy. In my book, I described the challenges we faced as a school when the COVID-19 pandemic invaded our world in 2020. I also share first-hand accounts of racial injustice my students and staff encountered. These were brought to the forefront of our society and our school following the George Floyd murder.
I am hopeful that the miraculous creation of Faith Academy can speak to our hearts and show there are many wonderful people in this world who are concerned enough about others’ children that they will sacrifice their time, money, and skills to help with such an endeavor.”


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Links mentioned in Always More to Learn
Book Club Questions
Having been a member of a book club for many years, I always love it when an author includes discussion questions as part of their appendix. So here, for your consideration, are questions for you to discuss with your friends after reading Always More to Learn.
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1. The author and her husband needed to weigh the differences between having their children grow up in a small town where you know everybody versus a bigger town. Which was your experience? Pros and cons.
2. What things from your childhood would you like replicated for your own kids?
3. Were there any things that you intentionally did differently from your parents?
4. The author mentions her place in birth order, being the youngest with four older brothers. What is your birth order and how does that effect your relationships with your siblings? What effect does it have on your relationships in life?
5. In this book, the author worked at a school that raised 90% of the necessary budget and families were only required to pay 10% of what it cost to educate their child. That is one way to look out for other people’s kids. This is a major undertaking and commitment. What are other smaller ways to look out for “other people’s kids?"
6. In chapter 11 the author was intentionally trying to keep Keshwan from attending, but it turned out better when he was able to attend at the last minute. Think of a time where you have tried to intervene in a situation but it turned out better because your plan was not carried out. Was that God?
7. College bubble. For those of you who attended college, What was the feeling you had being away for the first time? How did your perceptions of the world around you change once you had lived away from home?
8. The author shares about a special friendship that has lasted since childhood. Do you have a lifelong friend such as Maria? How has your relationship changed over the years?
9. The author had an experience where a teacher did not encourage/support her in her proposed college major. What have your experiences been with this? Were you supported or discouraged with your college choice/vocational choice? Have there been times when you have weighed in on high school students’ desires/potential plans?
10. Covid is discussed in several chapters. What were the high and low points for you during the shutdown? Any favorite memes?
11. The author goes into detail about the day-to-day operations of a school during Covid.
What information was new to you? Share your reactions with the group.
12. In chapter 20 Jan ran into her former professor and she had declined cognitively yet not physically. Do you have any examples to share with the group of loved ones who have suffered from cognitive decline, such as Alzheimer’s, at the end of their life?
13. The topic of racism is brought up in Always More to Learn. Do you have any incidents, people, books, or movies that have enlightened you in this area?
14. This story is about the author’s life as an educator. Tell about an educator who:
a. challenged you to do better
b. made you feel special
c. seemed to really enjoy kids
d. you learned the most in their class/subject area.
Final thoughts on Always More to Learn.

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