NAME:
Jennifer Barnett
SCHOOL:
Grisham IB World School
CLASS:
6th Grade Science
SCHOOL PHONE:
512 428-2736
Salut! Tag! Hola! Hello!
My name is obviously Mrs. Jennifer Barnett! I teach 6th grade Science at the
best middle school in the area: Grisham! I just completed my 28th year
teaching...all here in Round Rock, and I'm still having a blast! I am
officially older than dirt but try to stay up with the times. I have two
sons, one who is a Senior and one who is a Freshman, both at Trinity
University in San Antonio. It is really a change to have NO children in teh
house! Mr. Barnett works with the Library System at the University of Texas
as a project manager. We have a cat to which we are considered slaves, but
we love them anyway. I love Chuy's, Junior Mints, Milk Duds and COFFEE...and
the Texas Longhorns!
My BIG news is that I am now a published author! I co-wrote a science
textbook published by Cengage in Australia, called Science for the
International Student: Year 1. It is a textbook which can be used by students
in MYP schools all over the world! It was a challenging task, but VERY
rewarding! I will also be presenting a workshop to other Texas science
teachers (along with Mrs. Milliger) in November! I am excited to have been
invited to present at this state conference.
I grew up in a small town in the Houston area and attended The
University of Texas (Hook 'Em Horns) where I earned my first degree in Music
Education. You see I had a choir teacher who made a very big difference in my
life and I wanted to do the same. After graduating and not wanting to move
out of the Austin area, I tried my hand at management in retail. Not for me.
I went back to school (UT) and got certified to teach in the classroom. I
taught first, second and third grade for 23 years until I FINALLY graduated
to 6th grade here at Grisham. I had found my new passion! By this time I had
gone back to UT and gotten my Masters degree in Mathematics and Gifted
Learning. I got certified to teach Science, Language Arts, Social Studies,
and Math in middle school and Technology Applications through high school.
So...how did I end up teaching Science? Well, science has been a big part of
my life growing up. My parents are retired from working for NASA and when I
was little I wanted to be an archeologist or geologist, so when the
opportunity arose to teach Science to kids, I leaped! This will be my fifth
year at Grisham and I love the Middle Years Programme approach to teaching
and learning. It encourages real-life learning, global citizenship, and
understanding yourself and how you learn best. Oh, and did I mention
technology? MYP lovvvvvvves technology and so do I! I even have Twitter and
Facebook accounts so students can stay in touch! I use my music background to
make up goofy songs, chants and raps to help you remember important stuff and
to have a good time. Well, enough about me...I can't wait to meet YOU!
My mission for students comes from the heart. I want them to realize
what a dynamic, exciting subject Science is. That what scientists do is not
so very different from what curious kids do. I want them to find a passion
(and I hope it's science) and help them follow that passion. I want each
student to know they are valued as they are, but a lot is expected of them.
No matter where they are on the academic scale, I want to challenge them and
help them grow. I want students to take ownership of their learning and
realize the value in what they know. That no matter where you start, with a
good education, you have so many more choices in life. In short, I want to
make a difference with your child.