Jennifer Thrift named 2019 Library Journal Movers & Shakers Educator

Charles Pinckney Elementary School’s teacher librarian, Jennifer Thrift, has been named a 2019 Library Journal Movers & Shakers Educator March 6, 2019.

Low college grades and a rocky first year teaching didn’t stop Thrift from becoming a school librarian – they just pushed her to try harder. She strives to instill that same resilience in her students, so she was thrilled to learn about Breakout EDU, a start-up company that creates escape room kits for classrooms.

Thrift was the first person in Charleston County School District to integrate Breakout EDU into students’ instruction. She attended the Google Summit where she learned about digital Breakouts and began researching how to incorporate them at Pinckney.

Thrift trained teachers to create Breakouts that integrate with their standards and conducted numerous trainings for educators throughout the school district. She has even written Breakouts for Breakout EDU Company. Those can be found on the company’s website, where Pinckney is also featured. See the “Pinckney Elementary School” video at breakoutedu.com/about/.

“You can hear students reflecting at the end of a Breakout EDU game about what they would have done differently,” said Principal, Leanne Sheppard. “Mrs. Thrift motivates everyone to get out of their comfort zone and remain on the cutting edge of best educational practices. As a result, our teachers are implementing innovative, high tech lessons and our students leave us with the world-class communication and technology skills that are outlined in the Profile of a South Carolina Graduate.”

While many still believe that the school library should be a quiet environment, Thrift hopes these often boisterous games will shatter that perception.

“Noise can be productive as long as [students] are working,” Thrift said.

Students solve puzzles to unlock a strongbox before time runs out. Thrift has watched kids take a wrong turn, but their excitement never wavers.

“I am a firm believer that ‘FAIL’ stands for ‘First Attempt in Learning,’ ” Thrift said. “If you don’t figure it out right away, keep trying.”

Thanks to Thrift’s passion, all 80 schools in the Charleston County School District have Breakout EDU kits, and she’s trained the district’s librarians and teachers, who serve about 50,000 students, on incorporating this dynamic activity into the classroom.

Thrift is a Nationally Board Certified Media Specialist who, a few years ago, was chosen by her colleagues as Pinckney’s Teacher of the Year.

“In our school, Mrs. Thrift is seen as an instructional leader,” added Sheppard. “As the media specialist, she plans and teaches collaboratively with teachers, supports the implementation of new reading strategies, and promotes school-wide literacy. Because she is so well respected, she is often a change agent within our school, helping others to move from the fixed mindset of resistance and adversity to a growth mindset of change and possibility.”

For more information about Jennifer Thrift and her honor contact Principal Leanne Sheppard at (843) 856-4585.

About the Charleston County School District

Charleston County School District (CCSD) is the second largest school system in South Carolina representing a unique blend of urban, suburban, and rural schools that span 1,000 square miles along the coast. CCSD serves more than 50,000 students in 86 schools and specialized programs. With approximately 6,100 employees district-wide, CCSD is the fourth largest employer in the region.

CCSD offers a diverse, expanding portfolio of options and specialized programs, delivered through neighborhood, charter, magnet, IB (international baccalaureate), and Montessori schools, and is divided into three Learning Communities. Options include specialized programs in science, engineering and mathematics; liberal arts; music and other creative and performing arts; career and technical preparation programs; and military and other public service enterprises.