While teaching Art and directing/choreographing Theater at both the elementary and secondary levels, Jennifer saw, in a limited sense, that learning through long-term projects had the potential to raise student (and staff!) engagement and achievement. This observation led her to help create and implement the ultimate project: Valley New School. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2022-2023, VNS continues to innovate and evolve personalized, student-driven, project-based education. Jennifer feels privileged to work in a community where every individual is truly empowered to become a purposeful adult. Outside of VNS, she travels with family, performs in community theater productions, sings in a choir, and has presented at multiple conferences and PBL institutes.