Jennifer Pinkerton

Sixteen years in the teaching profession and never a dull moment. I have taught 9-12 Language Arts from collaborative SpEd to Gifted classes, from academic redemption and test prep opportunities to after-school SAT. In addition to my thirteen years in the high school classroom, I have written five sets of Christian summer camp curriculum for a large metro ATL church and taught/led youth through various Christian programs. I have served as a teacher to teachers via our county's video presenters program as well as having participated in many other leadership committees. I love to collaborate with my colleagues and am very excited to share some of my best practices/plans with you all!

My classroom is very student centered, or, in other words, active and loud. Too often the high school language arts classroom is quiet - we're supposed to be reading and writing, right?! Yes. And no. My lessons provide ways for my students to engage at high levels of thinking and performing, yet at the same time call them to be active participants in the classroom. We share, discuss, collaborate, create and present. My students hear from me on day one that I do not want intellectual robots and I strive for my classroom to reflect that.

NCTE presenter 1996 GCPS Digital Video Presenter, teachers teaching teachers 2012-13 Teachers as Leaders, Gwinnett County Public Schools 2015-16 Teacher of the Year, North Gwinnett High School 2016

B.S. from University of Georgia , English major 1994 Certified to teach through MEd program at UGA 1996 Gifted Certified 2011 MEd in Curriculum and Instruction 2015

I am the mother of four awesome college age kids that on the school spectrum range from SpEd to Gifted. They are a true gift and I believe that their diversity only makes me a better teacher. In my "spare" time I also coach cross country and love to write, cook, and sew.