An alumna of the University of Georgia, Jenna began her career in education in 2008 and since then has become one of the leading proponents (and providers) of increasing educational resources in the areas of social justice, food access, and environmental education, earning her the Presidential Innovation Award for Educators, received at the White House in Washington, DC in 2015, as well as Georgia’s 40 Under 40 Award in 2021 and Atlanta’s 40 Under 40 Inspiring Innovators Award in 2022.

At present, she develops curriculum and trains teachers around the world with partner organizations including FoodCorp, Georgia Organics, Life Lab, Whole Kids Foundation, Captain Planet Foundation, and Small Bites Adventure Club . She also continues to play a large role in Atlanta Public Schools, her pilot school being a school-based rooftop gardening program that has garnered local and national press coverage, as well as numerous grants and awards.

Beyond the school walls, she serves as the Director of Education for Community Farmers Markets, developing programs to educate neighborhoods of Atlanta on the community health, economic, and sustainable benefits of local farmers markets.

Education

• B.S.Ed.        Early Childhood Education. University of Georgia. (2005-2008)

Additional Courses 

• Life Lab Certified School Garden Educator Course. Life Lab (2021)
• Cultivating Farm to Early Childhood Course. Vermont Feed. (2020-2021)
• John Dewey Culinary Institute. University of Vermont (June 2017)
• Edible Schoolyard Academy. Edible Schoolyard. (July 2014)
• Urban Agriculture Training Program. Georgia Organics. (2012)
• Edible Schoolyard Academy. Edible Schoolyard. (July 2010)

Professional Training

• Coaching Effectively. Emory Continuing Education (September 2017)
• Facilitation Training. Jeremy Lewis (January 2016)
• Prioritization Training. Jeremy Lewis (January 2016)

Professional Positions

• Director of Education. Community Farmers Markets. (May 2015 – Present)
• Founding Education and Content Director. Small Bites Adventure Club. (Nov 2018 – Present)
• Curriculum Writer.
  • Citizen Farmers Academy. (Dec 2021 – Present)
  • Small Bites Adventure Club. (Nov 2018 – Present)
  • Georgia Organics. (Sep 2015 – Present)
  • Emeril Lagasse Foundation. (April 2017 – Present)
  • Captain Planet Foundation. (Feb 2014 – Aug 2018)
• Teacher Trainer.
  • Restore More. (Jan 2021 – Present)
  • Small Bites Adventure Club. (Nov 2018 – Present)
  • Emeril Lagasse Foundation. (April 2017 – Present)
  • Life Lab. (Feb 2016 – Present)
  • Georgia Organics. (Sep 2015 – Present)
  • FoodCorps. (Aug 2015 – Present)
  • Whole Kids Foundation. (March 2016 – May 2018)
  • Captain Planet Foundation. (Feb 2014 – Aug 2018)
• School or Teacher Coach.
  • Life Lab. (Sep 2021 – Present)
  • Georgia Organics. (Feb 2017 – Feb 2018)
  • Atlanta Public Schools. (May 2015 – May 2019)
• Teacher.
  • Garden-Based Education. Atlanta Public Schools. (May 2012 – May 2015)
  • 1st Grade. Atlanta Public Schools. (August 2011 – May 2012)
  • 2nd Grade. Atlanta Public Schools. (August 2009 – May 2011)
  • 1st Grade. Cobb County Schools (January 2009 – May 2009)
• Instructional Chef.
  • Community Farmers Markets. (March 2014 – Present)
  • The Stewart Center. (August 2014 – May 2017)
  • Forever Family. (August 2014 – December 2014)
• Farmers Market Manager. Community Farmers Markets. (March 2014 – May 2015)

Board Experience

• Grow the Good ATL Advisory Board Member. (2021 – Present)
• Branan Towers Senior Living. Board Member. (Jan 2017 – Present)
• WYLDE Center. Executive Board Member. (Jan 2015 – June 2020)
• Georgia School Garden Network. Executive Board Member. (Jan 2017 – Jan 2019)

Professional Experience

• Summit/Conference Education Planning.
  • Committee Member. Georgia Organics. (2019, 2021)
• Strategic Plan Development.
  • Staff Member. Community Farmers Markets. (2015, 2019, 2023)
  • Board Member. Wylde Center. (2015, 2019)
• Evaluation Plan Development.
  • Team Member. Georgia Organics Farm to School. (2016)
• Design Table Process.
  • Team Member. Food Well Alliance. (2016)
• Website Development.
  • Staff Member. Community Farmers Markets. (2015)

Professional Memberships

• Georgia Farm to School Alliance.
• Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia.