Jennifer Kennedy

Athens, AL | K-6, Science, 2020

What motivates you to contribute to excellence in STEM teaching?

STEM education, specifically science and engineering education, allows our students to investigate the "why" questions we face every day. Exploring STEM topics ignites the curiosity and wonder in learning and motivates all of us to make meaning within our world.

What has been the most transformative moment that affirmed your impact on STEM education?

In 2024, The Association of Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International awarded me with the Order of Prometheus for my impact on robotics education in North Alabama. I am proud of the award but also the number of my former students who have chosen to go in to STEM-related careers. I am humbled to know I had a small part in putting them on their road to success.

Using your platform as a Presidential Awardee, how do you hope to advance our nation in STEM?

STEM is too often overlooked in our youngest classrooms, at precisely the age where our students should be most engaged. Federal agencies need to recognize that teachers of students in PK through third grade need access to free, high quality materials and professional development to integrate STEM learning in their classes. With focus heavily placed on reading and mathematics instruction, our teachers need strategies, training, and resources focusing on integrating STEM education topics.

Biography

Jennifer Kennedy is proud to have been an educator for 30 years. For the past eight years, she has served as the STEM specialist at SPARK Academy at Cowart Elementary School, a public pre kindergarten through third grade elementary school dedicated to teaching young children through the lens of science and engineering. She currently teaches science, engineering, and robotics to all students at SPARK Academy. Prior to that, she worked for seven years as an elementary and middle school gifted specialist and robotics instructor for Athens City Schools, five years as a gifted specialist and third grade teacher at Riverton and Harvest Elementary Schools, and seven years as a first and third grade teacher at Starry Elementary School. In 2002, Jennifer was named Iowa’s Teacher of the Year and served as Iowa’s Ambassador for Education during the 2002-2003 school year. She also had the honor of serving as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow during the 2013-2014 school year. During that time, Jennifer worked at NASA Headquarters in the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate. She has been the featured speaker at schools, professional development sessions, science festivals, and conferences across the nation, including performing a live aeronautics demonstration on The Weather Channel. Throughout her career, Jennifer’s mission has remained the same: furthering hands-on science education for all students at all levels. Jennifer earned a B.A. in elementary education from the University of Northern Iowa and an M.Ed. in special education, gifted, from the University of South Alabama. She earned National Board Certification in 2000 as a Middle Childhood Generalist. She is certified in both elementary education and PK-12 gifted education.

High-resolution version of the official portrait photograph
Awardee with Dr. Quincy Brown, Senior Policy Advisor at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and Dr. Sylvia Butterfield, Acting Assistant Director at the Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR) within the National Science Foundation (NSF)
High-resolution version of the teacher profile photograph

The views expressed in awardee profiles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of NSF or the PAEMST program.