The Loyalsock Township School District is honored to host and evening with our 2018 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Jennifer Wahl. The community is invited to attend our program on November 19, 2018 at 6:00 p.m., and to hear Jennifer share her educational journey from high school through today.

Jennifer R. Wahl has been a social studies teacher at Loyalsock Township High School since 2006 and an adjunct professor at the Pennsylvania College of Technology since 2015. Originally a New Yorker, she moved to Pennsylvania to attend college in 2002. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Cabrini University in history and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the Pennsylvania State University. At the high school and college level, Jennifer teaches history, psychology and sociology.

Jennifer has several professional affiliations, including, but not limited to The Japan Society, the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia, the International School for Jain Studies, College Board, the National and State Teacher of the Year Pennsylvania Chapter, and the Pennsylvania State Education Association.

Throughout the last 12 years, Jennifer has engaged in multiple professional development opportunities that have taken her to some far off places. In 2011, she was selected by the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia to participate in a two-week study tour in China. Similarly, she was selected for a three-week study tour in Japan by the Japan Society in 2012. In 2013, Jennifer studied restorative justice and teaching for Peace in Delhi India at the International School for Jain Studies. She also traveled domestically with the American Institute for Historical Education, and has participated as an AP World History Reader in Salt Lake City for several years. She has been trained by the College Board in both AP World History and AP Psychology. She received a certificate for her completion of the AP Summer Institute for both subject areas at Fordham University and Wake Forest University, respectively.

In the last several years, Jennifer has received several awards both locally and at the state level. In 2012, Jennifer received the APALACO yearbook dedication, which is voted upon by high school seniors. In 2016, she was recognized as one of 7 Lycoming County Educators of the Year. This award is given by the Lycoming County Chamber of Commerce. In December of 2017, Jennifer was picked as the 2018 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year, representing not only the state, but also the National and State Teacher of the Year organization. She will be in the running for National Teacher of the Year during the 2018-2019 school year.

In the past, Jennifer was involved with extensive volunteer work. In 2006, Jennifer wrote a few article for the Guardian about cultural differences, prior to being hired as a teacher. While running the Loyalsock Township High School Key Club, she volunteered with the Kiwanis Club and the Little League World Series. From 2007-2015, Jennifer volunteered with students to sell programs at the Series. The students were allowed to pick a charitable caused, either local, regional or national to donate their earned money to. She also helped with flood relief during the 2011 flood of the Susquehanna River, in addition to several other projects with the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, the March of Dimes and a variety of other organizations. Most recently, Jennifer worked with Lycoming College to complete mock interviews for pre-service teachers.

Personally, Jennifer has traveled extensively for both personal and professional development. She has been to 47 countries on all continents, with the exception of Antarctica. Her travels began when she was quite young, and she pursued more challenging experiences as she got older. She has completed home stay experiences in Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Israel, the West Bank, and Greece. Her experiences have taken her to rural Myanmar, the outback of Australia, urban India, the West Bank, the tropical rainforest bordering Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, tribal villages in Panama, and the interior of Alaska to name a few. She also loves to cook, read non-fiction, visit museums and spend time with her husband, daughter and senior dog.