Jennifer Skomial

Background

About Jennifer Skomial

Since a young age, I have been enamored with the idea of becoming a teacher. Early on, I sought experiences that would help shape me into the educator I have become. Beginning as an English teacher, I found that forming positive relationships with students is what helped draw them into the subject matter. However, nothing has transformed my pedagogy quite like becoming a Career and Technical Education teacher. Collaborating with students who are focused on becoming educators (teachers, guidance counselors, social workers, psychologists, etc.) has ignited a desire to expose them to as many authentic experiences as we can dream. During my time as the 2019 New Jersey State Teacher of the Year, I had the opportunity to visit many schools across the country, and throughout the state of New Jersey. I kept a keen eye on what made these schools so successful. Time and time again, educators shared the many benefits that came from the exceptional leadership they had in their buildings. Soon after, I returned to my classroom and set up more field experiences in various schools for my future educators. It was during one visit in particular that I witnessed a phenomenal principal. I realized that I had a new calling to fulfill.