Alexa Tenhagen grew up in a rural town in Wisconsin, with the family farm just a short walk away. The first part of her life was spent playing on the farm with her siblings and many cousins, creating lifelong memories. It was on this farm that she discovered her passion for raising animals, which led to her participation in county fairs every summer. Alexa’s farm experiences and active involvement in 4-H and FFA taught her invaluable life lessons over the years.

One of Alexa’s most cherished memories is adopting a baby lamb born prematurely and unable to be cared for by its mother. Alexa took the lamb in, nursed her back to health, and was fortunate enough to have her as a beloved pet for many years. This little lamb, named Pearl, became a significant part of Alexa’s life.

During her senior year of high school, Alexa began working at a K-8 school. She found great joy in building relationships with young students and helping them succeed. Recognizing that many of these rural kids hadn’t experienced farm life, Alexa decided to bring a piece of the farm to them. After discussing with the teachers, she arranged a surprise visit from Pearl. The kids were thrilled, and their excitement led them to draw pictures and write stories about her. This heartwarming response inspired Alexa to write the story of Pearl, leading to the creation of her book “Pearl Goes to School.”

Years later, those same students still approach Alexa to talk about Pearl, a testament to the lasting impact of that experience. After high school, Alexa’s desire to help others drove her to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Professional and School Counseling, with the goal of supporting children from diverse backgrounds and guiding them toward success in this complex world.

Through her journey, from the farm to the classroom, and now into the field of counseling, Alexa Tenhagen remains committed to making a positive difference in the lives of children, helping them find the good and achieve their full potential.