Ms. Jennifer Ward started teaching tenth grade English at Grandville High School in 2017, but only started advising the Journalism class and our Grandville student news site The Bark in the fall of 2025.  However, this is not her first foray into advising student journalists as she was also the newspaper and yearbook adviser in a previous district.

Ward is passionate about teaching and providing a platform for student voices.  She’s also been recognized for her work in education.  In March 2017, Ms. Ward was named teacher of the month by Michigan’s 86th district state representative, Thomas Albert. In March 2016, she was named a TED-Ed Innovative Educator and is also a Google Certified Innovator, National Writing Project Consultant, and a 2014 PASCD Emerging Leader. Ms. Ward taught for 13 years in a Philadelphia suburban district and returned to her home state in 2015.

And when not in front of a class or a computer, Ward is either in front of her sewing machine or has a glue gun in hand. A born DIYer, Ward jumps into ideas, excited by possibilities.