Supporter Spotlight: Jake and Sahar Hanseen

Jake and Sahar Hanseen moved to Glendora in 2019 and quickly made the community their home. Today, they are raising three boys in GUSD, operating Hansen Orthodontics and, supporting the programs that help Glendora students learn, create and thrive. We spoke with Jake about his family’s connection to public education, their commitment to GEF and the impact they hope to make.

Tell us a little about your family and your connection to the Glendora community.

My wife, Sahar, and I have three amazing boys: Theo, 12, Peter, 10, and Ben, 7. We moved to Glendora in March 2019, and I opened Hansen Orthodontics here in August 2023. We feel incredibly blessed to live, work and raise our family in such a wonderful community.

Our oldest son attends Goddard, and our younger two boys attend Sellers, so GUSD plays a significant role in our children’s lives.

What inspired your family to support the Glendora Education Foundation?

We have supported GEF and attended its events since we first arrived in Glendora more than seven years ago. These developmental years are so important, and we want our children—and all Glendora students—to have access to the best tools, technologies and learning opportunities possible as they prepare for an ever-changing world.

We believe GEF is directly involved in making those opportunities possible, and we can’t think of a better cause to support.

Why is investing in local students and public education important to your family?

I owe so much to my education and believe deeply in lifelong learning. My siblings and I all attended public schools, and my mother worked as a public-school counselor for decades. Education is closely connected to health, economic stability, intergenerational success and so many other important outcomes in life. A strong and well-funded public education system is the most equitable way to give everyone an opportunity to better themselves and build a stronger future.

Is there a GEF-funded program or classroom experience that has been especially meaningful to your family?

Our children love the STEAM labs and the hands-on experiences they provide. They enjoy building things and then using computer programs to make their creations move.

They also see the STEAM lab as a safe place to experiment, learn and be curious. Watching their excitement reinforces why these opportunities are so valuable.

What would you say to someone considering making a gift to GEF?

I would encourage anyone who can to contribute to the Glendora Education Foundation. Supporting our children and giving them the tools to learn is one of the best investments we can make. These same children will grow up to become the backbone of our community in the decades ahead.

What impact do you hope your family’s support will have on Glendora students?

We hope Glendora students develop a lifelong love of learning. We want them to enjoy encountering something they don’t yet understand and to take pride in solving a difficult problem, working through a puzzle or creating a solution that once seemed impossible.