Cohort 1
Jennifer Eckroat
EDUCATION • M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education, Reading Endorsement Northern Arizona University • M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction University of Phoenix • B.A. in Elementary Education (K-8) University of Arizona ENROLLED • Cohort 1 LOCATION • Overland Park, Kan.
Jennifer Eckroat is an experienced, passionate early childhood educator about to begin her 26th year in education. During her time in the classroom, she has taught in multiple states spanning preschool to third grade. After graduating from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, she taught first grade for three years. She moved to Colorado to teach a multi- age 1st/2nd grade classroom for two years. Teaching in a multi-age classroom solidified her desire to work with primary aged students. Moving to Arizona and California led to opportunities teaching second grade, preschool and third grade. During that time, it deepened her interest in early childhood teaching and focusing on research and professional development for the classroom. Teaching foundational literacy skills in the classroom is the most meaningful part of her teaching practice. Jennifer uses her time in the classroom every day to inspire a true lifelong love of learning for her students. Her own love of learning was drawn to the possibilities of a Doctorate in Literacy and Language. In the future, Jennifer hopes to be able to use her acquired knowledge to stay in the classroom while finding opportunities as an elementary literacy coach or providing support to new teachers entering the field. There are a limited number of elementary teachers with a doctoral degree who stay committed to the classroom and Jennifer is happy to be one of them! She is currently lucky to have her dream job as a long time Kindergarten teacher. Jennifer teaches in the Blue Valley Unified School District in the Kansas City area where she lives with her husband, two daughters and a crazy rescue dog.
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Ed.D. in Language and Literacy
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