About the Teacher

My name is Jennifer Richards and I am excited to be your child’s Kindergarten teacher this year!  Because I will be spending a great deal of time with your child, I would like to take this opportunity to tell you a few things about myself, both personally and professionally.

Previous Experience 

This is my 22nd year teaching in the district. My previous experience with teaching has been at Barnard School, (on the grounds of The Children’s Home of Detroit). I taught children with severe emotional impairments in a multi-age classroom (Grades K-6). The Children’s Home shut its doors to children in need of residential treatment in November of 2008; forcing Barnard School to close. I was very sad to leave.

For the remainder of that year I was placed in the extended day kindergarten classroom at Trombly Elementary. I was filling in for a teacher going on maternity leave. I have to admit that I was a little nervous going into that position! However, I quickly realized that this was exactly what I was supposed to be doing. I looked forward to going to work every day. I was so sad when the classroom teacher returned and I had to hand her classroom back over to her.

The following year (2009-2010) I was transferred to Defer and once again taught in the categorical classroom for children with emotional impairments. When the all day kindergarten position became available here at Defer, I decided that I could not let the opportunity pass me by. I applied for a transfer and was thrilled when I heard that I was going to be the new kindergarten teacher in fall of 2010!! This will be my sixth year teaching Kindergarten at Defer and I have loved every minute of it! I am very excited for this school year to begin. 

Education

I received my degrees in Elementary Education K-5, Special Education E.I. K-8, and ZA in Early Childhood Education.  

Personal Life

I am married (18 years) with two sons, ages fourteen and eleven. I have a giant dog named Cash. :) My children are currently attending 7th grade at Brownell Middle School and 10th grade at South High School. My husband, Brad Richards, teaches Special Education at Pierce Middle School. As you can see, our family is invested in this district! When I have free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, cooking, walking, going for bike rides, camping, doing art or home improvement projects, visiting with friends, and learning new things.

Teaching is more than just a job to me. It has always been my lifelong dream. Each day that I am able to be in your child’s life is a blessing to me! I hope to help your children develop a lifelong love of learning. I will provide positive warmth and support to all of my students while encouraging curiosity, imagination, and creativity. I want to enable them to be independent learners, and to help them develop to their fullest potential - socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically.

 I look forward to an exciting and productive year.  Thank you for sharing your child with me.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call and leave me a voicemail message or send me  an e-mail.  If you need to reach me immediately or you have an emergency please call the school office.

Kindly,

Jennifer Richards

Kindergarten Teacher

Defer Elementary

Voicemail (313) 432-5852

RicharJ@gpschools.org