Teaching is a Passion for Award-Winning Educator Ms. Jennifer Plasha

Our team at The Malvern School is incredibly proud that six of our teachers from across various school locations have been recognized as recipients of the 2021 Terri Lynne Lokoff Teacher Awards in honor of their dedication, expertise and commitment to providing high-quality early learning experiences. This blog is part of a Q&A series that will spotlight each of the awardees.

For some people, teaching is a true calling. There’s no doubt that’s the case for Ms. Jennifer Plasha, LEAP Lead Teacher at The Malvern School of Glen Mills. Wanting to be a teacher for as long as she can remember, Ms. Jennifer has dedicated her career to early childhood education – and it shows.

The care and creativity she invests in individualizing lesson plans for her students and helping them prepare for kindergarten is part of what earned her recognition as a 2021 Terri Lynne Lokoff Teacher Award honoree!

We sat down with Ms. Jennifer to learn more about her approach to teaching and why early learning is critical for young children.

TMS: What drives you and your approach to teaching?

JP: My students are my drive, every single day. They motivate me to be a better teacher when I see them laughing, learning and enjoying being in my class. Adapting my lessons to meet the needs of each and every student also plays a major role in my approach to teaching.

TMS: What’s your secret to success in the classroom?

JP: An organized learning environment is my secret to success. Relating to the children and getting to know each other personally creates a trusting environment where they feel comfortable learning and exploring.

TMS: Why is early learning so important for young children?

JP: Children who are in an early learning environment are more confident, and early learning sets children up for success later in life. I chose to dedicate my career to early childhood education because for as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a teacher. It is such a rewarding experience when you watch your students grow and learn from what you have taught them.

TMS: What does being a recipient of the Terri Lynne Lokoff Teacher Award mean to you? 

JP: Being one of the recipients of the Terri Lynne Lokoff Teacher Award is an extreme honor. I am so grateful and proud of the accomplishment and recognition. Teaching is, and always will be, a passion of mine. I could not imagine myself in a different career. 

Learn more about all of The Malvern School’s 2021 Terri Lynne Lokoff Teacher Award recipients here.