A core member of the Middle Way community, Jen brings nearly 30 years of leadership and administrative experience in educational organizations, most recently as an Assistant Dean at Bard College. Jen supports students’ individual needs while maintaining open lines of communication with families and staff. She also has the herculean task of managing our daily schedule and programming. Jen is also a parent of an alumna student and has been with our school since its earliest years.

After several years as a member of the Middle Way School parent community, I was thrilled to be offered the opportunity to serve our beautiful school as a member of the administrative team when I joined in 2021. I come to this role with a deep respect and appreciation for the talented teachers and staff and a true enjoyment of the energy, curiosity, and creativity that children bring to each moment and situation. I also bring immense gratitude for all of the parents who entrust us with their children and contribute so much positive energy and effort to help our school community thrive.

Before joining the Middle Way team, I worked at Bard College for 14 years, most recently as the Assistant Dean of Students. In this role, I worked individually with students who were experiencing academic challenges and personal crises, and collaborated with family members and staff to creatively adapt the learning environment to meet the needs of each student.

In addition to Bard College, I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with many incredible educational organizations over the past several decades, in roles such as: Director of the Girls Leadership Workshop at the Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill; Director of the Teen Parent Center for the Santa Fe Public Schools; and Coordinator of the Success By 6 program for United Way of Santa Fe County. In each of these positions, I supported young people and their families through challenging situations, and created structures, systems, and programming to advance the mission and sustain the programs into the future. I have a Master of Social Work degree with a concentration in Community Organizing and Administration and training as a Waldorf teacher.

In both my personal and my professional life, I am a committed anti-oppression activist who engages in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice work on multiple levels. I was a founding member of the Bard College Council for Inclusive Excellence and worked with that group for 10 years to make lasting improvements and cultural shifts on campus. I also advised the student-led Anti-Racism Collective at Bard, facilitated anti-oppression workshops for campus groups, and supervised the Bard Educational Opportunity Programs. I have continued this work at MWS as we work together as a school community to expand diversity and strengthen equity and inclusion at MWS.

I first began to explore Buddhism while working at the Omega Institute in 2005. I am still developing my own personal practice and knowledge of Buddhism, and I have found it enriching to be a part of a school community that nourishes this journey. I truly believe that expanding access to Buddhist thinking, perspectives, and practices—especially for young people—is critical to creating a positive future for our world. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to contribute to the larger mission of MWS, and to support students, families, and staff while our vibrant learning community continues to thrive and grow!

I currently live in the Hudson Valley with my daughter Charlotte and our sweet dog, Ellie. I enjoy swimming in creeks and waterfalls, yoga, swing dancing, cross-country skiing, hiking, camping, green building design, and kayaking. I also love creating outdoor experiences with children that allow space and freedom for children to explore the natural world and connect with themselves and one another.