After spending 15 years in the IT and healthcare industries, Jennifer Childress made the life-changing decision to pursue a new path in education. Inspired by her own young children, she took time to reflect on what mattered most and realized she wanted a career that would allow her to make a difference in the lives of students while being more present for her family. That journey led her to earn her teaching certification through the TeacherReady Program at the University of West Florida.
Now, Jennifer is preparing to begin her second year as a fifth-grade science teacher at Robertsdale Elementary School, where she is passionate about inspiring curiosity and a love of learning in her students.
“There is no such thing as a typical day in a science class,” Mrs. Childress explained. “One day might involve digging in the dirt, another day might consist of making a pitcher of Kool-Aid and a bowl of trail mix as we learn about mixtures and solutions, and some days you can catch us flying paper airplanes down the hallway.”
Hands-on learning takes priority in her classroom, right alongside creating meaningful lessons that lead to lifelong understanding.
“I try to tie every lesson to something meaningful and useful for my students,” she shared. “After a lesson on chemical reactions, my heart swelled with pride when the kids showed me their apples at lunch and talked about how the browning was the result of a chemical reaction.”
The most challenging part of teaching so far, she says, has been seeing students struggle to have their basic needs met outside the classroom. Keeping snacks, basic hygiene items, and a listening ear available has helped tremendously.
“I am so thankful for the resources we have in Baldwin County and at our schools. Whenever I have needed help meeting a child’s basic needs, the school and community have stepped in to make it happen!”
When she isn’t balancing the demands of teaching and family life, Mrs. Childress enjoys spending time with her husband of 15 years and their three children: a seven-year-old and five-year-old twins. They love hiking and exploring, especially in the Smoky Mountains. She also enjoys crafting and volunteering at her church.
