Jennifer Barnes has served educators and school systems for over 16 years as a professional learning manager, director of school support, director of elementary education, network instructional coach, and classroom teacher. Most recently, she designed professional learning for instructional coaches at Evanston/Skokie School District 65 to develop instructional coaching practices and enhance student outcomes. During her tenure at The Achievement Network (ANet), she provided instructional leadership coaching to Chicago Public School District school leaders, guiding them through change management processes and designing high-impact professional development experiences.
As an Assistant Director of Learning Experiences with the DG, Jennifer drives the creation and delivery of innovative learning solutions tailored to the needs of schools and districts.
Outside of her professional role, Jennifer is passionate about social entrepreneurship, having launched a coffee shop with her husband that serves as a vibrant gathering place in their neighborhood. She holds a Master of Public Administration from DePaul University and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Missouri Saint Louis.