Jen was raised on Long Island, New York. She is a graduate of Lehigh University with her Bachelors in Anthropology and her Masters in Elementary Education. During her undergraduate experience, Jen taught children’s seminars at a university art gallery as well as an interactive science museum. As a graduate student, she had the opportunity to develop a virtual museum experience for middle school students with the Smithsonian’s American History Museum. She also attended an archaeology field school in Honduras. Jen has enjoyed merging her love of science and culture with children’s education.
After graduation, Jen moved to northern Virginia to start her career as a third grade teacher in Fairfax County’s Gifted and Talent program. During her five years as a classroom teacher, she also had the opportunity to teach an after school environmental program, coach a girl’s running team and support the county’s Young Scholar summer program. In her position with Young Scholars, Jen supported educators teaching an enrichment science curriculum to economically disadvantaged youth. After five years with Fairfax County, Jen felt that it was time to apply her experience in a way that benefited a new population of children. Jen looks forward to helping the children of Horton’s Kids reach academic success as the new Director of Primary Education.
