She is also a Senior Research Associate with the Tarrant Institute for Innovative Education. Her research centers on supporting student teachers and practicing teachers in experimenting with innovative teaching practices such as personalized learning, proficiency-based learning, and social justice education. She is especially interested in teaching approaches that aim to engage middle grades students as co-designers of learning experiences. Jessica has taught in Michigan, Maryland, France and Hawaii and tries to maintain the aloha life by playing the ukulele every chance she gets.