Fellow Profiles

Biography

Jennifer Berry-Rickert has taught biology, chemistry and AP environmental science for eight years, the past seven at Stratford High School in Nashville, Tennessee. She has worked with her local district, the Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) to outline courses of introductory and honors biology and to develop a series of summative, standards-based biology assessments to gauge student understanding and modify curricula during the school year. To combat a faculty turnover rate of 25% at her inner-city school, Jennifer created a program in faculty mentoring to support new teachers. This past year, the turnover rate dropped nearly 10 percentage points.

A popular teacher, Dr. Berry has contributed her time to extracurricular activities like the Remotely Operated Vehicle Club, Chemistry Day, Science Club and the Student Advisory Council. Jennifer also brought Mole Day to her school, an annual day of hands-on science activities for students that involves local scientists and industry leaders.

She is a member of a variety of professional organizations including the National Science Teachers Association, Phi Delta Kappa, and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. The recipient of numerous awards, Jennifer was honored with the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholar Award in 2006, Exxon Mobile Exemplary Educator in 2005 and 2006, the VaNTH Engineering Research Center Scholarship in 2006, and the Schools for Thought Grant in 2002. In 2006, she won both the Stratford HS Teacher of the Year Award, and the district-wide MNPS Science Teacher of the Year Award. Ms. Berry earned a BS in Zoology and MA in Science Education at the University of Arkansas and completed her Professional Studies in Education PhD at Capella University with a dissertation on the No Child Left Behind law.