My name is Jennifer Lui, and I'm excited to be joining the Sycamore Community this Fall as a learning specialist. For the past 25 years, I have been immersed in the world of education. I grew up in Los Angeles and moved to the Bay Area to attend UC Berkeley, where my interest in education began. After graduating, I headed to New York City, where I received my Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College at Columbia University. I was then a classroom teacher for 14 years in Oakland, New York City and Los Angeles before becoming a Literacy Coach to teachers within the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. Most recently, my focus has been on students with academic challenges and learning differences and supporting their needs. I have continued to develop this interest, receiving a certificate in Educational Therapy from UC Riverside and specialized training in Orton Gillingham. All of these experiences have given me a broad perspective on education and many years of practice in assessing and analyzing student needs.

Across the various roles that I have held in education, I have come to believe that instruction is most effective when guided by students’ individual needs, authentic assessment, and ongoing reflection. I believe that all students need connection and a sense of belonging in order to take the risks necessary to learn. I am excited to join a school community that values teachers as learners and where teachers, families, and administrators view one another as collaborators in helping each student grow. 

I live in Westchester with my husband, my two teenage sons, and my frisky dog. Outside of school, I enjoy cooking, traveling, and reading or listening to audiobooks.