By: Aubrey Edwards, Kiley Gehovak, Serenity Fox, Alicia Lyons and Lilly McFarland
When it comes to caring profoundly about her students and staff, Federal Hocking Principal Jessica Pennington does not mess around. Pennington graduated from Athens High School and then went to Ohio University for her undergraduate in Education and Reading Education. Pennington then attended the University of Cincinnati for her master’s degree. While Pennington was in high school, she felt the more involved she was, the bigger difference she could make. In high school, Pennington was involved in cheerleading, basketball, FFA, 4-H, Spanish Club, National Honors Society, and Key Club (service projects).
“I was so busy in high school I didn’t have a job; my parents said if I am involved I don’t have to. It was a good incentive to get involved in stuff.”
When Pennington attended Ohio University she was a part of the CARE Program. She student taught at Federal Hocking in 2008-2009 and then was a teaching fellow with Albert Green in 2009-2010 teaching World Studies. This is when she started to fall in love with the small school environment.
“I really believe that Federal Hocking can come back to what it once was.”
Pennington’s presence and influence feels full circle.
“I really believe in Federal Hocking, the philosophy of teaching. I believe we can come back to that. It just kinda feels like home,” she stated.
When it comes to experience, there is no doubt that she has it all. Pennington was an American History teacher at Wellston High School. She was an Advanced Placement US History teacher at Wellston and an Intervention Specialist at Trimble.
“I always wanted to be a teacher or lawyer mainly because I was good at arguing.”
Pennington has always had a love for teaching. Whenever she was young, her father built her a playhouse. In the playhouse he put in a chalkboard. This is when she decided to invite her neighbors over to teach them how to read and write.
“That’s when I knew I wanted to be a teacher.”
Pennington enjoys teaching because it’s fun, she loves interacting with her students, and building relationships with them. Three words to describe herself would be driven, hilarious, and quirky. She was born in
Athens in 1986. A fun fact about her birthday is that every seven years it’s on Thanksgiving. Pennington is a very family oriented person. Her husband’s name is David, and they have four children. The oldest is named Gabby, who is a hospice nurse. Her second oldest is named Caden; he is a welder. Her third child is named Mason, and he is very big into soccer. Her youngest child is named Brylee.
“She is everything that the youngest baby should be.”
Pennington claimed that she does not really have any hobbies of her own, other than hiking and reading. She said that her hobby is driving other people to theirs. Pennington owns multiple animals including Nigerian Dwarf goats, a horse, cats, dogs, and finally rabbits. She is a 4-H advisor.
“When I was in 4-H I showed a Netherland rabbit and market hogs.”
Pennington’s biggest goal in life is for her kids to be happy and successful. As for her personal dreams, she claims she is living them all right now. Pennington’s professional goal is for other people to know how amazing our school really is.
Pennington absolutely despises snakes which stemmed from her cousin chasing her around with a milk snake when she was younger. Her favorite restaurant is Lulu’s in Athens, because the owner is very sweet and makes you feel at home. Her favorite foods are chocolate and Cherry Coke.
Pennington lo
ves all music, every genre and every type. She also loves attending concerts whenever she can. Her idol is her mother.
“If I can be half the mom she was, then I will be good.”
Pennington’s favorite holiday is Halloween, but really relishes the Christmas season. Her favorite pets are her kitten Carabelle and her dog Rocket, who she claimed is happy all the time. Pennington’s favorite place is Costa Rica because it has a lot of variety. Her dream vacation is to go on a Mediterranean cruise so she can visit all the places. Pennington’s favorite part about traveling is the views and the animals. She loves to swim and find a beach anywhere she can.
“If I can go on vacation I want to find a beach immediately.”
Her spirit animal is a manatee.
“They just roll around and eat all day.”
Pennington loves to travel with her family, but also enjoys going with her students. If she could live anywhere else in the world she would choose Costa Rica. She can understand Spanish but not enough to claim it. She loves all purple but mainly the lighter shades. Pennington is currently rewatching the Marvel movies in chronological order.
Pennington is a very dedicated principal who with no doubt will protect you and make sure our school becomes a better place.
