Hello Firstie Families. 

My name is Jennifer Fitzsimmons and I am honored to be your child’s first grade teacher. This is my sixteenth year in teaching and my third year teaching first grade at Dr. N.H. Jones. 

I didn’t always want to be a teacher.  I started out my college career working towards a degree in Business.  I loved the challenge and did quite well.  I worked hard to earn exemplary grades, studied like crazy, participated in the debate team, joined a sorority and became the Vice President for two years, but something was missing.  My roommate, Jessica, was an Elementary Education major.  She loved the idea of framing young minds but really struggled creatively.  As I watched her challenged with projects and assignments, about ready to quit at times, I did what any good friend would do.  I offered to help.  This sparked a joy in me and I knew what was missing.  As I now had the opportunity to work with her and get my creative juices flowing, I realized that I too had a gift and that I too could have a hand in helping shape our future.  In May of 2001, I graduated with two degrees, one in Elementary Education and the other in Early Childhood from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

Yes, you read that correctly, Pennsylvania.  In 2016, my husband and I decided that we had had ENOUGH of the snow, so we packed up our home and moved to Ocala.  For the first two years I had the privilege of teaching first and fourth grade at Sunrise Elementary School.  After those two years we bought a house on the SE part of Ocala and I wanted a job closer to home.  I was ecstatic when I received the call from Mrs. Houle offering me the first grade position her at Jones.  The rest of the story is yet to be written. 

I am married to the love of my life, Ryan.  This past February we celebrated 15 years of marriage.  We have three ENERGETIC boys, Kaiden (13 going on 40), Levi (10), and Nolan (7).  These four men complete me!  I'm also in love with out fur baby, Buea.  He is a black lab that completed our family this past April.  In my spare time I love to garden, read, play cards (Pinochle is my favorite) and do what my family calls, “BEACHIN IT!”

Keeping the lines of communication open for your Firstie and you is a high priority of mine.  To do this I use CLASSDOJO.  ClassDojo is a school communication platform that teachers, students, and families use every day to build close-knit communities by sharing what's being learned in the classroom at home through photos, videos, and messages in a private and secure environment. Please look for more information to join your class VERY SOON!  

IF you are unable to communicate on this platform, you may contact me by email: jennifer.fizsimmons@marion.k12.fl.us or by calling the school at 352-671-7260 between the hours of 7:10-7:30am or 2:15-3:00pm.

Again, I am honored to work with you and your Firstie.  It’s going to be a GREAT school year.