Student Author: Amanda A.
Ms. Jennifer Channing is a native to Putnam County. She has been teaching for 14 years, 10 of which have been here at Putnam County. At this time, she has taught 3rd grade, kindergarten, 1st grade, and then back to kindergarten, which she teaches now. Growing up, Channing was involved with her farming and trucking family in the Powersville/Lucerne area. They raised horses, cattle, and hogs as well as grew crops. Ms. Channing spent her free time riding her bike, helping her two brothers with their pigs, assisting her grandma with making cakes, and clog dancing with her cousin, which she got to perform at the state FFA convention. Now she has 2 kids of her own, Remington, who is 9 and Arah, who is 5.
While in high school, Jennifer was in Future Farmers of America, Future Teachers of America, Band, and Marine Ecology. Through Marine Ecology, she had the opportunity to go scuba diving, swim with stingrays, climb a volcano, and visit the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá and Copán. Jennifer was undecided about her future plans until her junior year in high school, when she decided she wanted to be a childhood educator. She received her Associate's of Arts degree at NCMC in Trenton, MO and then transferred to Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa, where she got her Bachelor's degree in Childhood Education. She then got her Master's and Specialist degrees in Administration through William Woods in Fulton, MO.
When asked if she would go back and change anything about her life, she said she doesn’t know if she would go back and change anything, but she would like to know how her life would have been if she would’ve decided to go into Marine Ecology instead of education. Jennifer said that in 5 years from now, she sees herself still teaching. Remington will be 14 and Arah will be 10. When asked where she’ll do 10 years from now, she said she sees herself still teaching. Remington will be 19 and out of the house and Arah will be 15 and in high school.
Outside of teaching, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and kids. She likes swimming, going through caves, and having fun at Adventureland and other vacations with Remington and Arah.
Thank you, Ms. Channing, for all you have done and continue to do for all of us at Putnam County R-1 schools!