Never Say Never
EC Alumni Spotlight on Jennifer Rhodes
When Emmanuel College alumna Jennifer Rhodes was in 2nd grade, she remembered watching her teacher and thinking, “I want to be her one day.” Today, that dream is a reality.
A 2002 EC graduate in Middle Grades Education, Jennifer looks back on her time at Emmanuel knowing that this is where her faith was shaped.
“You could attend college anywhere and have the academic portion,” Jennifer said. “But the spiritual component is what is most needed. You can’t find that everywhere.”
Jennifer believes her spirituality was tailored at EC.
“I was a part of the Emmanuel Singers,” she said. “We had a wonderful time in the Lord’s presence and I believe it set up what my life would look like in adulthood.”
You could attend college anywhere and have the academic portion. But the spiritual component is what is most needed. You can’t find that everywhere.
In the classroom, Jennifer found spiritual mentors, like Dr. Vicki Hollingshead, who led by example.
“As a college student, you’re young and still moldable,” Jennifer said. “You may be strong-willed and independent, but having people who can lead by example and model the lifestyle of what Godly adulthood looks like, it’s priceless.”
After graduating from EC, Jennifer spent six years in the classroom teaching elementary-aged children. Although she enjoyed the classroom, Jennifer learned something about herself during that time and experience.
In the classroom, Jennifer found spiritual mentors, like Dr. Vicki Hollingshead, who led by example.
“I discovered over the years that I liked teaching adults,” Jennifer said. “I could see myself retiring and becoming a college professor.”
With this realization in mind and after completing her Master’s Degree in School Administration, Jennifer took on a new role.
“I went into a middle school and became what was referred to as a Tap Master Teacher,” Jennifer said. “I was a teacher of teachers. I would go in and model teach for other teachers.”
From there, Jennifer went worked on federal programs for the school district and assumed the role of Title I Facilitator, where she leveraged federal dollars to meet the school’s and increase student achievement.
“I enjoyed working with federal programs,” Jennifer said. “It had a component for family engagement, which I loved. I would host parent nights and bring families in for different activities the school was engaged in.”
After eight years in this role, Jennifer applied for her current position with the South Carolina Department of Education, which she believes is the perfect fit for her.
“I am an Education Associate in the office of Federal and State Accountability,” she said. “This means that I work with federal programs like Title I. Our office also helps navigate the districts with family engagement activities.”
“Education is my passion,” she continued. “This many years in, I’ve enjoyed it on all fronts. Working at the state level and in ministry has shaped my life.”
Outside of education, Jennifer and her husband, Brian (EC Class of 2002), have served in ministry together for 18 years. They currently pastor in Columbia, SC. As a 21-year-old student at Emmanuel, Jennifer would have never thought God would lead her down the path that he has, but he did.
What advice would Jennifer give to other aspiring teachers?
“Never say never,” she said. “Never say you won’t do something. Your life then opens to the guiding of the holy spirit because his plans are greater than yours.”
Never say never. Your life opens to the guiding of the holy spirit because his plans are greater than yours.
EC Alumni Spotlight on Jennifer Rhodes
When Emmanuel College alumna Jennifer Rhodes was in 2nd grade, she remembered watching her teacher and thinking, “I want to be her one day.” Today, that dream is a reality.
A 2002 EC graduate in Middle Grades Education, Jennifer looks back on her time at Emmanuel knowing that this is where her faith was shaped.
“You could attend college anywhere and have the academic portion,” Jennifer said. “But the spiritual component is what is most needed. You can’t find that everywhere.”
Jennifer believes her spirituality was tailored at EC.
“I was a part of the Emmanuel Singers,” she said. “We had a wonderful time in the Lord’s presence and I believe it set up what my life would look like in adulthood.”
You could attend college anywhere and have the academic portion. But the spiritual component is what is most needed. You can’t find that everywhere.
In the classroom, Jennifer found spiritual mentors, like Dr. Vicki Hollingshead, who led by example.
“As a college student, you’re young and still moldable,” Jennifer said. “You may be strong-willed and independent, but having people who can lead by example and model the lifestyle of what Godly adulthood looks like, it’s priceless.”
After graduating from EC, Jennifer spent six years in the classroom teaching elementary-aged children. Although she enjoyed the classroom, Jennifer learned something about herself during that time and experience.
In the classroom, Jennifer found spiritual mentors, like Dr. Vicki Hollingshead, who led by example.
“I discovered over the years that I liked teaching adults,” Jennifer said. “I could see myself retiring and becoming a college professor.”
With this realization in mind and after completing her Master’s Degree in School Administration, Jennifer took on a new role.
“I went into a middle school and became what was referred to as a Tap Master Teacher,” Jennifer said. “I was a teacher of teachers. I would go in and model teach for other teachers.”
From there, Jennifer went worked on federal programs for the school district and assumed the role of Title I Facilitator, where she leveraged federal dollars to meet the school’s and increase student achievement.
“I enjoyed working with federal programs,” Jennifer said. “It had a component for family engagement, which I loved. I would host parent nights and bring families in for different activities the school was engaged in.”
After eight years in this role, Jennifer applied for her current position with the South Carolina Department of Education, which she believes is the perfect fit for her.
“I am an Education Associate in the office of Federal and State Accountability,” she said. “This means that I work with federal programs like Title I. Our office also helps navigate the districts with family engagement activities.”
“Education is my passion,” she continued. “This many years in, I’ve enjoyed it on all fronts. Working at the state level and in ministry has shaped my life.”
Outside of education, Jennifer and her husband, Brian (EC Class of 2002), have served in ministry together for 18 years. They currently pastor in Columbia, SC. As a 21-year-old student at Emmanuel, Jennifer would have never thought God would lead her down the path that he has, but he did.
What advice would Jennifer give to other aspiring teachers?
“Never say never,” she said. “Never say you won’t do something. Your life then opens to the guiding of the holy spirit because his plans are greater than yours.”
Never say never. Your life opens to the guiding of the holy spirit because his plans are greater than yours.