Meet Jennifer
Parent
I am a mother of three children in the district. My children have attended Gray's Woods Elementary, Park Forest Middle School and State College Area High School. I currently have children in both the elementary and secondary levels.
Educator
As an educator, I have first hand experience with how the decisions made at the school board level affect the day-to-day operations inside of a classroom. Many programs sound amazing when presented, but if you aren’t able to anticipate how they will actually play out in the classroom, you may spend money on something that will not be a valuable asset to teachers or students.
I received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Kindergarten and Elementary Education from Penn State University. After graduation, I became a sixth grade language arts and social studies teacher at Bellefonte Area Middle School. I stayed in this position for six years until my oldest child was born. Though I resigned from my teaching position, I've remained active in the world of education. I am currently a K-8 tutor and have worked with over 20 SCASD students since leaving the classroom. I have maintained my teaching certificate through college coursework and professional development.
Volunteer
As an educator, I have first hand experience with how the decisions made at the school board level affect the day-to-day operations inside of a classroom. Many programs sound amazing when presented, but if you aren’t able to anticipate how they will actually play out in the classroom, you may spend money on something that will not be a valuable asset to teachers or students.
I received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Kindergarten and Elementary Education from Penn State University. After graduation, I became a sixth grade language arts and social studies teacher at Bellefonte Area Middle School. I stayed in this position for six years until my oldest child was born. Though I resigned from my teaching position, I've remained active in the world of education. I am currently a K-8 tutor and have worked with over 20 SCASD students since leaving the classroom. I have maintained my teaching certificate through college coursework and professional development.
Mental Health Advocate
As an educator, I have first hand experience with how the decisions made at the school board level affect the day-to-day operations inside of a classroom. Many programs sound amazing when presented, but if you aren’t able to anticipate how they will actually play out in the classroom, you may spend money on something that will not be a valuable asset to teachers or students.
I have long been a proponent of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide. I personally have struggled with depression for over 20 years and know isolating that can feel. When my own children began to struggle with their mental health, I discovered an entirely new set of challenges in regards to anxiety/depression and school. While the school district was very much interested in helping my children, there often seemed to be a disconnect between what was offered and what was needed. When my daughter Abby Smith died by suicide last year, my husband and I vowed to do whatever we could for the children in our district to ensure that no other parent had to suffer by losing their child to suicide.
With the help of our amazingly supportive friends and community, we encouraged the district and school board to conduct an external review of suicide prevention & postvention strategies as well as mental health in general and bullying. The external review was completed by Dr. Terri Erbacher and the district is now working on an action plan to address the areas the reviewer felt needed attention. Dr. Susan Swearer has been hired to conduct the bullying review which will begin soon. I'm very encouraged by these necessary steps to make our schools safer places for our children.
