I was born and raised in Sacramento and attended parochial schools from grades 1-12.  I earned a B.A. in Music from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1994 and a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies with a teaching license in grades PK-3 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2001.  I was a preschool teacher at an arts-based preschool in Madison from 1995-2001 where I also learned about the Reggio Emilia philosophy of education which is focused on project-based learning.

Upon graduating from the UW-Madison, I moved back to Sacramento to begin my public school teaching career.  I worked for one year in kindergarten at Union House Elementary, twelve years in first through third grades at Charles Mack Elementary, 4 years in third grade and 1 year in first grade here at Sunrise, and now I’m about to embark on my 19th year of teaching in 5th grade!

Two summers ago, I received a fellowship and participated in the UC Davis Area 3 Writing Project Summer Invitation Teacher Leadership Institute.  For 4 weeks, I engaged in writing, reading current research on best practices in writing instruction, and taught a demonstration lesson on craft moves in writing to my colleagues.  It was an intense but truly inspiring experience.  I followed up on this experience with a 2.5 hour workshop for teachers around the region at an Area 3 Super Saturday and participated in the Area 3 Advanced Institute where I worked with other Teacher Consultants on planning future professional development for teachers.    I can’t wait to share all of my new learning and discoveries with your children this year.

In the past several years,  I have devoted much time attending UC Davis Area 3 Writing Project courses, earned a GLAD (Guided Language Acquisition and Design) certificate, have read numerous books and led teacher book studies on Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop, and have taken art (Deep Space Sparkle) and music (Education Through Music) courses which allow me to teach art and music weekly to my students.  I believe that, in order to remain an effective teacher and to keep my passion for teaching alive, I need to read, collaborate, and learn from expert teachers continuously.

I am married to a recently retired EGUSD teacher and adjunct photography professor for Los Rios Community College District.  We have two boys ages 12 and 10 who will be in 8th and 5th grades this year.  We love to go on bike rides on the American River, travel, and spend time with our large and nearby family.

I now begin my nineteenth year in EGUSD with all of you at Sunrise Elementary.  I am excited about my upcoming journey with your children as they embark on their 5th grade year.  I want their year with me to be dynamic, joyful, and meaningful.  I look forward to my partnership with you in order to make this happen for each and every one of your children.

Cheers to the 2020-2021 school year!

Jennifer Ambrose