Hello!

My name is Jenn Donais and I am the K-8 STEM Coach at Amesbury Public Schools. I will be working at AMS, Shay and CES this year and I can't be more excited!

My Education

I graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Inclusive Elementary Education and Special Education. I went on to get my Masters in Curriculum and Teaching at Fitchburg University. Every piece of my educational path has helped mold the person and the teacher I am today. I learned from some of the very best educators, and I constantly try to put into action the things they taught me.

Teaching Life

This is my 15th year of teaching. I have spent the first 10 years teaching in Haverhill, MA. Eight years as a middle school math teacher and two years as an elementary school math coach. Teaching is not just my job; it’s my hobby and my calling! I can’t imagine being so fulfilled in any other profession. I am so excited about this year and cannot wait for the first day of school!

Accomplishments

I won the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching in 2016. This is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th-grade mathematics or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. Most recently I won 3rd place in the National Air Force Association STEM Teacher of the Year. I also love presenting at national conferences such as the Space Exploration Education Conference.

Experience

I am a Global STEM Trainer with STEM Revolution. Here I have gone to the United Arab Emirates to facilitate professional development to teacher there about STEM Education.

I went to the USPTO's National Summer Teacher Institute in 2023 to learn how to bring invention education into the classroom.

I went to Set Sail (Naval Academy) in the summer of 2022 to learn new ways to bring STEM into the classroom.

I went to Air Camp in the summer of 2021 to learn new ways to bring Aviation into the classroom.

I went to Space Camp in the summer of 2019 to learn new ways to bring Space into math education.

I was the Digital Literacy Computer Science Ambassador for Massachusetts where I did presentations across the state about how to bring computational thinking into math and science classrooms.

I was a member of the Teacher Advisory Cabinet from 2017-2019. Members of the Teacher and Principal Advisory Cabinets (TAC and PAC) share their insights, suggestions and feedback with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to help refine current policies and inform the development of new policies and resources at the state level.

Certifications

Google Certified Coach

ST Math Champion

Civil Air Patrol Member

Elementary Education License

Middle School Math License

Special Education License

Supervisor of Math License

SEI Endorsement

Flipgrid Certified Grid Guide

Personal Life

I was born and raised in Haverhill. My mother, Toni Donais, was a math teacher and principal for 40 years. My grandfather, Tony Sapienza was also a math teacher and math department head/supervisor… math must run in the family!