Shining a Light on SRS’s Jennifer Kennedy: ‘A Beacon of Hope’

Swarthmore can feel like a town trapped in time, and often in good ways. As the world outside roils, we take comfort in how our town retains its “small-town charm” and sense of community. But beneath the surface lies a worrying reality: Swarthmore lacks racial and socioeconomic diversity. In a world challenged by persistent political discord, racism, sexism, ableism, and more, it is vital to nurture and champion those who elevate issues of diversity and social justice in our community. There is perhaps no one who better exemplifies this effort than the winner of the Swarthmore Centennial Foundation’s fourth annual “Shine a Light” Award: Mrs. Jennifer Kennedy, a third-grade teacher at the Swarthmore-Rutledge School (SRS).

Mrs. Kennedy, a graduate of Millersville University of Pennsylvania, Arcadia University, and the University of Pennsylvania, has been teaching in the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District (WSSD) for over 20 years. Her receipt of this year’s award, which is given annually to someone “who has made Swarthmore a more diverse, inclusive and equitable place to work, learn, do business, or live,” is not just a recognition of her pedagogical efforts - it is also a celebration of her dedication to fostering a more just and compassionate community more broadly.

Ask anyone who knows Mrs. Kennedy, and you'll hear a chorus of praise for her work. The individuals who nominated Mrs. Kennedy for this year’s award called her “a tremendous force for good,” noting that she worked tirelessly to teach students (in age-appropriate ways) about issues of racial justice, civil rights, and inclusivity. One nominator wrote that Mrs. Kennedy “enriched kids’ education by incorporating diverse histories, perspectives, and textbooks,” while also noting that she “worked hard to bring more research-informed and inclusive pedagogical practices to the district.”

But her approach to education goes beyond textbooks and lesson plans. Mrs. Kennedy also facilitated her students’ engagement with African American history through the SRS Living Wax Museum and her recent “Tell Me a Story” initiative, and she co-founded the WSS Big IDEA community group that has advocated for expertise in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the school district. In addition, she wrote a play on Martin Luther King, Jr. that students perform annually for the SRS community, and which has been incorporated into the new WSSD MLK, Jr. celebration. One parent noted that Mrs. Kennedy’s efforts to foster diversity and inclusion “were not always easy, as she faced both implicit and explicit bias and resistance to change,” but states that they were “inspired by her perseverance.”

No doubt, Mrs. Kennedy’s efforts helped many in our community develop a stronger understanding of diverse issues and perspectives. One parent who had multiple children in Mrs. Kennedy’s classrooms wrote that she “made sure that [her students] saw a broader world than the one right outside our door.” It is no surprise that inclusivity is central to Mrs. Kennedy’s approach to engaging individual students. One parent with a neurodivergent child shared that Mrs. Kennedy was very understanding with her son, “treating his differences as just another wonderful and unique part of him.” Another nominator said Mrs. Kennedy “strives to make the classroom a space for all students to learn and be their best selves.”

Sadly for Swarthmore, Mrs. Kennedy is transitioning this year to a new role as an administrator in a different school district. While this professional advancement is bittersweet for the Swarthmore community, it gives us an opportunity to honor her contributions. Surely, the afterglow of her efforts at SRS will be bright when she leaves, and future generations of teachers and students are sure to build on her legacy.

“It was an honor for me to be part of a community that recognizes and appreciates diversity,” Mrs. Kennedy said. “Swarthmore is a special place because people here care deeply about inclusion and equity - the existence of this award is just one example of that. I will always think of Swarthmore as a blessing in my life.”

The Swarthmore Centennial Foundation invites everyone in the community to join in celebrating Mrs. Kennedy in person at the “Night in the Ville” event, on Thursday, June 13, 2024, when Mrs. Kennedy will receive her award — and the recognition she deserves for her remarkable career in Swarthmore.

Syon Bhanot is a Swarthmore Centennial Foundation Trustee and Associate Professor of Economics at Swarthmore College.