Educator Profile    Educators

Jessica Chapman (CT '24)

Teacher

Norwich Free Academy
Norwich, CT

Subject(s) taught: Social Studies/History
Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

At the time of the Award, Jessica Chapman was:

Teacher
Norwich Free Academy
Norwich, CT

Subject(s) taught: Social Studies/History
Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12


Biographical Information

Jessica Chapman makes learning exciting and accessible for all students in her social studies classroom at Norwich Free Academy (NFA). NFA is home to a diverse student body, representing over 30 different primary languages spoken at home and 9% of students born outside of the U.S. Many of Chapman’s students are new to the country and/or have experienced some level of interrupted learning. Chapman differentiates instruction masterfully to reach beginning multilingual learners (ML) and seniors earning college credit alike. Students explore sociology, modern world history, and global studies and citizenship with the rigor of college-level expectations. Through project-based learning, scholarly research, writing strategies, policy proposals, and high-level discourse, Chapman creates a nurturing classroom environment and sparks in students a curiosity and inquiry about their place in the world and how to hone their responsibility as global citizens. 

Enrollment in Chapman’s college preparatory sociology course doubled thanks to her new curriculum that allows dual-enrollment students to earn college credit through the University of Connecticut’s Early College Experience program. Several students no longer see college as a “pipe dream,” but well within their grasp. Chapman’s peers benefit from her commitment to the school where she serves as a teacher mentor, student teacher supervisor, PLC leader for senior electives, ML summer academy leader, and professional development coach. Harnessing her experiences teaching in El Salvador for a year, Chapman developed an educational workshop for her colleagues on navigating the arrival of new students from Central America, and how to better serve expanding populations of learners. 

Chapman continues to lead outside the walls of her classroom; she serves as a senior class advisor and organizes milestone activities like a class trip, prom and graduation; coaches the varsity girls golf team; and develops mental health, sportsmanship and collegiate athletic programming for the Varsity N club as a co-advisor. 

Chapman completed her Bachelor of Arts in history and social science in 2011 from Eastern Connecticut State University, a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from Sacred Heart University in 2013, and a Sixth-Year degree in educational leadership from Quinnipiac University in 2024.

Press Release: Surprise! Norwich Teacher Jessica Chapman Becomes Nation's Next Milken Educator


Jessica Chapman In The News

Multilingual Learner Educator Wins 2024 Milken Award
The University of Rhode Island  |  Nov 25, 2024  |  Kingston, RI

Alum Honored with Prestigious Milken Educator Award
Sacred Heart University  |  Nov 22, 2024  |  Fairfield, CT

'Oscars Of Teaching': CT Teacher Earns Prestigious Award For Her Work In, Out Of Classroom
Daily Voice  |  Nov 14, 2024  |  Norwalk, CT

Norwich Free Academy Teacher Surprised with $25,000 Milken Educator Award
Journal Inquirer  |  Nov 13, 2024  |  Norwalk, CT

Alumna is Honored as the Nation's Next Milken Educator
Quinnipiac University  |  Nov 13, 2024  |  Hamden, CT

WATCH --> Norwich Teacher Receives $25K Milken Educator Award
WTNH-TV  |  ABC  |  Nov 12, 2024  |  New Haven. CT

WATCH --> Norwich High School Teacher Surprised with $25K Award
WVIT-TV  |  NBC  |  Nov 12, 2024  |  West Hartford, CT

WATCH --> Norwich Teacher Wins Prestigious Award and Massive Surprise
WFSB-TV  |  CBS  |  Nov 12, 2024  |  Rocky Hill, CT)

Norwich Free Academy Teacher is Only CT Teacher to Win National Award in 2024: What She Said
The Bulletin  |  USA Today Network  |  Nov 12, 2024  |  Norwich, CT

NFA Teacher Named National Milken Educator Award Recipient
The Day  |  Nov 12, 2024  |  New London, CT

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