Dallas ISD celebrates teaching excellence by recognizing outstanding educators who are making a difference in the lives of students every day. Meet 2021-2022 Principal of the Year finalist Jennifer Atkins.
More than 20 years ago, when Jennifer Atkins walked onto the campus of Titche Elementary, it was her initial opportunity to impact young people’s minds regarding the importance of education.
She worked on the postsecondary and secondary levels and soon returned to the fundamentals, realizing that the greatest need for student maturation and attainment must be carefully and thoroughly addressed on the primary level.
For the past 10 years, she has considered Charles Rice Learning Center home and the best educational environment in Dallas Independent School District. Here, Atkins has served as an English language arts teacher, a campus instructional coach, assistant principal and now principal.
Atkins acquired her Bachelor of Science in elementary education from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and her Master of Arts in organizational management from the University of Phoenix. She received her principal certification from the University of Texas at Arlington.
One of Atkins’ greatest pursuits has been her dedication to educational equality. Through perseverance, she is determined to shorten the achievement gap and dismantle the pessimistic societal statistics about minority students. Under her leadership, Charles Rice continues to hold an “A” rated campus status.
Atkins’ ultimate achievement will only be attained when every child is able to read on grade level at completion of third grade. Until then, there is so much more work to be done.
Jennifer Atkins is one of the 2021-2022 Elementary Principal of the Year finalists. From the finalists, one principal will be selected from each category to represent Dallas ISD as Principal of the Year. Winners will be announced at the inaugural 2021-2022 Dallas ISD Educator of the Year Awards, in partnership with the Dallas Education Foundation, presented by Reliant at the Statler Hotel on May 10, 2022.View the full list of the 2021-2022 Principal of the Year finalists here.
