As the coordinator of the Sustainable Schools Project, Jen works with the SSP staff to further develop and evaluate the model, document promising practices and outreach to other schools and communities. 

 In her role as the Director of Professional Development she works with all of Shelburne Farms’ Professional Development programs to coordinate the Farm’s offerings to educators.  Jen develops and conducts educator workshops, institutes and credit-bearing courses at the local, national and international levels.  She is also the co-chair of the K-12 and Teacher Education Sector of the US Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development and the co-chair of Vermont SWEEP (Statewide Environmental Education Programs).                     

 Before joining Shelburne Farms, Jen worked with the City of Burlington on the public process for a 30-year sustainability plan.  She also worked with the AmeriCorps*VISTA program on two state-wide initiatives focused on education specifically; the arts, the environment, and literacy.

 Teaching Experience: Jen has taught art, environmental science, and sustainability at and she also teaches classes and courses at local colleges and universities in place-based, sustainability, environmental, and agricultural education. 

 Education: Jen holds a Bachelor degree in Plant and Soil Science from the University of Vermont, and a Master in Science in Environmental Education from Lesley University’s Audubon Expedition Institute.

 Guiding perspective:  Jen believes that education should prepare young people for their role as actively engaged citizens with the knowledge of the complex interconnections between the environment, social equity, and the economy.  In addition, she agrees wholeheartedly with this quote from John Dewey, “education is not preparation for life, education is life itself.”