Featured Teacher: Jennifer Szczepanski

Meet our Featured Teacher, Jennifer Szczepanski!

My name is Jennifer Szczepanski, and I was born and raised on Long Island, New York. I moved to Alachua county in 2011 and I started working as a Headstart instructor in 2011 at Newberry Elementary. In 2015, I took a job as a Pre K ESE teacher at Newberry Elementary, where I currently am. I have a 9-year-old son and have been married for 10 years. I am fostering a puppy as well with hopes of adoption.

Where do you teach?

Newberry Elementary

What grade/age do you teach?

Pre-K ESE

How long have you been a teacher?

10 years in New York and 13 years in Florida

What subject do you teach?

Special Education

Why were you inspired to teach?

I always wanted to help children learn, especially those children that learn differently.

What is your favorite part of the school day?

Learning time with my students.

Do you have a favorite assignment/ project that you typically assign your students?

I enjoy sending home “All About Me” so I can get to know my students and their families more.

How do you wind down from a long day of teaching?

I sit at home with my husband and my 9-year-old son and drink coffee. On other days I am watching my son play baseball.

What hobbies do you enjoy?

I enjoy listening to music and building LEGOs with my son.

I am always being silly and funny with my students, so every day is silly.

If you were a superhero, who would you be?

Wonder Woman

What is your favorite book?

I really enjoy the Harry Potter books or “Wings of Fire.”

What are you looking forward to on the first day of school?

Meeting my new students and learning the best way that I can help them be successful in school and in life.

1) Make it fun for them.
2) Teach them using things that they enjoy.
3) While having fun, make sure that there are rules and boundaries so it does not get too out of hand.

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