MEET JENNIFER NUTTER
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very year, a handful of students gets a written letter from their third grade teacher, celebrating the anniversary of a day most people may not think to celebrate ̶ their spiritual birthday. For over 10 years, third grade teacher Jennifer Nutter has been sending letters to former students who accepted Christ in her classroom. The idea came to Nutter organically; she marked a date in her calendar when one student accepted Christ in her class. The following year, she decided a note to this student would be a nice gesture to encourage him in his walk with the Lord. The idea stuck, and Nutter has been doing this ever since. Recently, this same student visited Mrs. Nutter and her classrom on his spiritual birthday with a bouquet of flowers, thanking her for her continuous support and encouragement.
From Student to Teacher Jennifer Nutter (‘88) has been a part of the Heritage family for over 40 years, having attended Heritage since kindergarten and having taught at Heritage in several stints since the mid-90s. “I consider this my family since I’ve been here since I was five,” she said. Nutter attended Grace College, where she met her husband of 26 years, Scott. Directly after graduating, she returned to Heritage, this time as a third grade teacher, serving under the leadership of her own former first grade teacher, Elementary Principal Mary Jane English. She taught for five years before taking time off to raise her two children, Jeremy (‘16) and Emily (‘23). After an 11year hiatus, Nutter returned to Heritage.
Living on Mission Mrs. Nutter beams when she talks about teaching third grade. “Oh, they’re so much fun!” she said. “I love the age in that they’re able to start thinking for themselves. I always tell the parents that I wish they could be flies on the wall during our Bible discussions because sometimes they say things that even convict me.” Serving Jesus and celebrating her students are two things Nutter strives to do every day. “I continually thank the Lord for allowing me to serve and give back to the school that without a doubt gave me a solid foundation based on Jesus Christ.” Nutter’s enthusiasm for people and the Gospel extends beyond the classroom. In the last decade, the Nutter family has grown to know and love the Indianapolis refugee population. When their children were young, the Nutters decided to buy gifts for a family in need, so they asked around and found a refugee woman with six children.
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SPRING 2019 HERITAGE MESSENGER
