Teacher Highlight: Kindergarten Teacher Appreciates Inquisitive Nature of Young Students

Jennifer Shatford loves how enthusiastic and inquisitive young children are, which is why she decided to teach kindergarten. The Marblehead resident attended Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, graduating with a dual major in Elementary Education PreK-4 and Special Education PreK-8, as well as a minor in Autism Studies. Following her undergraduate degree, she went on to earn her Master of Education in Early Childhood Education from Endicott College in Beverly, Mass. Before she joined the staff at William P. Gorman Fort Banks Elementary School, Shatford worked in Marblehead in a variety of instructional capacities. Most recently in Marblehead, she was a tutor in their summer program and a long term substitute second-grade teacher during the past school year. When she’s not busy teaching, she enjoys reading, running, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.

Did anyone inspire you to become a teacher?

I always knew I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up. However, my fourth-grade teacher was the one that really made me realize that was what I wanted to be when I grew up. She knew the best way to teach hard concepts, while she kept learning fun.

What do you love most about your position?

I love how each day is something new and I enjoy seeing the moment a student grasps a new concept.  

What do you love about teaching in Winthrop? 

Winthrop, like Marblehead, is a small, close-knit community. Working in 

Winthrop reminds me a lot of my own childhood school experience. I am also very lucky to have such a supportive and collaborative team, in addition to a wonderful group of parents.