Contact Number:​ 803-269-4862
Email Jennifer at jennifert@cerra.org

Education: Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Education from Columbia College in 1990 and an Interdisciplinary Master of Arts in English with a writing emphasis from the University of South Carolina in 1995. She has earned Gifted and Talented Endorsement, as well as certification in Advanced Placement English Language and Composition, Advanced Placement Seminar, and Advanced Placement Research.

Experience: Jennifer has 28 years of classroom teaching experience, beginning in Kershaw County in 1990. After taking some time off when her children were young, she returned to the classroom in Richland School District 2, where she taught in the Ridge View Scholars Academy. After opening the new Westwood High School in 2012, she served as Department Chair of the English Department for 5 years. Jennifer rounded out her years of classroom experience as the Program Director for Westwood High School's SOAR Honors Academy, teaching in the AP Capstone Program, and was named a district Honor Roll Teacher of the Year.

CERRA: Jennifer first began working with CERRA as a Teacher Cadet Instructor in 2013 when she began Westwood High School's inaugural Teacher Cadet Program. As a TC Instructor, she recognized the need to include education majors in the Lottery Scholarship Enhancements and passionately advocated for this change. She worked tirelessly for years, and her efforts contributed to the successful passage of the legislation in 2023, ensuring that future teachers could receive the financial support needed to help cover their tuition. Jennifer has also worked as a Teacher Cadet Liaison, reaching out to new TC Instructors to offer advice and encouragement. In February 2025, she joined the CERRA team as a Program Facilitator, where she helped revise the Experiencing Education curriculum.