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Jennifer Lawhead’s grandma, Phyllis, always told her to “bloom where you are planted.”  And we are so fortunate that Jen has been planted and blooming in Austin for 25 years.

Prior to working in Austin, she was an elementary teacher in Burnsville and Rochester. She started here as a first-grade teacher at Banfield School and then moved to administration, and later worked with the gifted and talented program. Next, she was the executive director of Austin Aspires. Now we are fortunate to have her as Director of Community Education for Austin Public Schools.

Jen said she has always been motivated to have her work make an impact. Director of Community Education certainly gives her the opportunity to do that.  Overseeing the Early Childhood/Family Education programs, as well as the public school and preschool, affords her the chance to enhance the opportunities for growth for children and parents during the critical years of birth through five.  She said that spending time with these young ones and their parents brings her joy every day.

Jen also supervises the Austin Adult Learning program. Providing newcomers to our town a place to learn English and complete their General Education Diploma (GED) in a supportive environment is very life-giving to these folks as well as their families.

The Kids Korner after-school child care program is also close to Jen’s heart.  She used this service when her children were in elementary school. Every working parent appreciates having a safe, nourishing, full-of- fun place for their children in the after-school hours.

The Community Education enrichment classes are another area Jen administers that have great impact. She knows these classes in all area of the arts, music, writing, cooking, technology, and a host of other topics “create endless opportunities to learn, have fun, meet other people and feel connected to the schools and the wider community.”

Jen is very proud of each of these programs and she says her greatest challenge is not being able to meet the demand.  There are waiting lists for preschool, Kids Korner and the adult learning program. Her generous heart would like to serve everyone who wants these opportunities.

This devoted and focused educator, administering all these areas for Austin Public Schools, also finds time to be an active member of AAUW and she ably edits our monthly newsletter. She is the one who had the great suggestion for AAUW to honor Austin women in these Notable Women of Austin columns. And for the last five years, Jen has collaborated with Jennifer Braaten Winch to bring to the community The Story Show each January, our AAUW fundraiser.

If you haven’t experienced this show you have missed some wonderful treats! Each show features eight local people of various ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds telling a personal story around a theme. These two women have such an amazing talent for finding “storytellers” who always charm and move the audience.  January 2025’s theme is “Acts of Love.” These Story Shows build community in unique ways, fulfilling  Jen’s desire for her work to have an impact.

Jennifer Lawhead, you have followed your grandmother’s advice and bloomed in so many ways. Austin is very  grateful!