Jennifer C. Ellis
Middle School Language Arts, 8th Grade Homeroom Teacher
Jen grew up exploring the rivers, lakes, forests, and coast of Maine. These early wanderings and experiences have shaped her teaching and her ethic. Jen led wilderness expeditions in Northern Canada and taught intensive field-based environmental education courses. Jen has traveled widely throughout East Africa, South East Asia, and Europe. She has lived and worked in London and has a keen interest in global development issues. Jen received her B.A. from St. Lawrence University in African Studies & Government and has conducted graduate-level research and course work in English Literature at the University of Montana. Jen has taught 7th and 8th grade Language Arts and 8th grade Social Studies at Sussex since 1997. In 2005, Jen was a fellow at the Center for Teaching and Learning, a demonstration school in Edgecamb, Maine, where she observed and learned under Nancy Atwell, a national leader in reading and writing workshop classrooms. When not at Sussex, Jen can be found playing with her children, Zoë, Simon and Reid.
What is your teaching philosophy? When students are actively and creatively engaged in their subject/material/study, real learning takes place. My teaching is rooted in a love of learning. While my students have ample opportunity to measure themselves against high standards, their intellectual lives are not circumscribed by competition; rather, they study in an environment that stresses individual accomplishment and partnerships with teachers and peers. To me, the art of teaching is something I am continually learning; its mastery requires a lifetime.
Is there anyone in particular who has inspired you as a teacher? My father is an inspirational, creative educator. In all of his programs, students focus on learning to live and work together, communicating honestly, being sensitive and generous in spirit, and taking personal responsibility for community and place.
What do you like to do when you are not teaching? I love to play with my children, read, walk on the beach, hike and ski.