I am lucky. I love my job as a teacher, and I teach what I love. I blame my dad for this overwhelming desire to understand what is happening in my community... his experiences and inquisitiveness became mine even though his life calling was different. I grew up reading political philosophy and history texts as my dad worked on his B.A, in Political Science, and loved the conversations we had.
Before I even stepped foot on the campus of Wheeling Jesuit University, I knew that I was going to study political science. I next narrowed my sights on D.C., moving here after my graduation in 2001 to continue my education in political science after I gained experience as a government contractor. To my surprise, my continued education was to go in a different direction. I started teaching in 2003 and immediately knew I had found my calling. I have found that nothing is more rewarding in a career as serving others. I love fostering inquiry in my students. Asking them to see that civics education and engagement is perhaps not a career path, but is certainly an investment in each their own future is one of the most exciting parts of my profession.
I have never really grown tired of being a student. So much of what I do requires learning and my own inquiry. I have continued my own education formally and informally. I seek out professional development across the country, and I am presently working towards that Masters in Political Science. I share that experience and insight in hopes that my investments in my students' education and future may find meaning elsewhere. I hope you find that these resources are helpful to you and inspire you to move forward in your career. Stay lucky, stay loving what you do!
--Jenifer Hitchcock, M.Ed NBCT
Jenifer has taught US Government to high school seniors of all abilities and interests since 2007 for Fairfax County Public Schools. Since 2015, her work is primarily with advanced academic students in AP Government and Politics. Jenifer is presently teaching AP Government for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and is pursuing her Masters in Political Science from Virginia Tech as a James Madison Memorial Foundation Fellow. Prior to teaching, Jenifer received her B.A, in Political Science from Wheeling Jesuit University and a M.Ed from George Mason University. She worked for three years as a environmental policy analyst at Computer Sciences Corporation.
Jenifer is a Nationally Board Certified Teacher, an AP Government and Politics table leader, and a former presenter at the NCSS Conferences in 2015 and 2016. She moderates the AP Government Teachers Facebook Group.