By Amber Jurgensen | Staff Writer
For Jennifer West, taking the top post at Lincoln Elementary Magnet School is a sort of homecoming.
The teacher and administrator moved to Plant City from Gainesville when she was in the fourth grade. Now, instead of being an elementary student in the community, she’ll help teach them.
West began her work at Lincoln July 2, after two-and-one-half years as principal at Riverview Elementary.
“My favorite thing about being a principal is getting to interact with so many different groups of people — students, parents, teachers and the community,” West said. “Watching everyone work together toward our ultimate goal, student achievement, is very rewarding.”
West said she knew she wanted to pursue education since she attended Plant City High School. Inspired by her teacher, she volunteered in a special education program. Following graduation, she earned a bachelor’s degree in special education from the University of South Florida. She then earned her master’s degree in educational leadership.
“I’ve always loved kids and working with kids,” West said. “The Lord prepares you for certain things and jobs, and I feel like this is my calling.”
West spent six years of teaching special education students at Springhead Elementary and another at Wilson Elementary. She then switched to the administrative side of education at the encouragement of her principal at Springhead, Sandy Black. She later worked as an assistant principal at Alafia Elementary.
“Both jobs have their own unique challenges, and I enjoy both,” West said of teaching and administration. “I still consider myself a teacher, and I believe that helps me assist my teachers as their administrator.”
West and her husband, Brian, have three children: Elizabeth, 8, Elijah, 5, and Emory, 1.
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.vzlom-pro.ru