Jennifer Amis recently retired from education after taking the lead in launching the first Early College High School in New Mexico, setting the stage for statewide expansion to what is now 21 Early College High Schools in the state.
Jennifer led the planning and implementation, ultimately opening Arrowhead Early College High School in 2010 as the school’s Principal, followed by Arrowhead Medical Academy in 2014. This project proved successful by adding value to the high school diploma with industry certifications and post-secondary participation and completion and by achieving local industry’s main goal, improved graduation rate. Under Jennifer’s leadership, Arrowhead Park was awarded the prestigious National Blue Ribbon recognition in 2017.
A career educator, Jennifer began as a vocational education teacher and discovered early that the knowledge and skills in the business education courses she taught supported and enhanced her students’ academic skills. Her interest in the integration of vocational and academic skills led to her opportunity to develop and implement a “school within a school” program. Funded by Carl Perkins dollars, this innovative curriculum project was the result of collaborative efforts involving business and industry stakeholders along with partners from post-secondary institutions. The Mayfield Business Academy was first among many integrated curriculum and quality career and technical education programs (CTE) that Jennifer contributed to both the development and implementation processes.
Jennifer’s continued interest in program development led to her position as a district leader, serving as Director of Secondary Curriculum and CTE of Las Cruces Public Schools. Managing many grant projects including School-to-Work, Tech Prep, Carl D. Perkins, and others, permitted innovations in CTE and development of career pathways connecting students’ academic studies to their career interests. Jennifer also participated in projects at the state level, serving as an officer for the New Mexico Association of Career and Technical Education (NMACTE).
Today, Jennifer continues to work with industry partners to identify innovations in education through research and curriculum development. Promoting the importance of access to quality programs for all students.
Jennifer holds a BS in Secondary Education, from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM, and an MA In Curriculum and Instruction, and Educational Administration also from NMSU.