Jenna Murphy
High School Science Teacher
Bachelor's Degree, Secondary Science Education, Iowa State University/William Penn University; Master's Degree, Higher Education, Ashford University
Jenna Murphy had worked in traditional brick-and-mortar schools since 2008 before making the switch to online learning in 2024 when she joined the faculty at Iowa Connections Academy. She immediately noticed the shared sense of commitment and purpose among the school’s teachers. “You can’t ask for a more caring, understanding, and flexible group of educators,” Ms. Murphy says.
Born to Be a Teacher
Teaching runs deep in Ms. Murphy’s family—and that may be an understatement. Her great-grandmother was a teacher. Three of her four grandparents were teachers, as were her aunts and uncles. Her father was . . . yes, a teacher. As professionals and as people, “education is extremely important” to everyone in her family, she says.
Establishing New Traditions
With her family’s professional background and her years of experience in traditional educational environments, Ms. Murphy offers an important perspective on virtual schooling and its advantages for students. “There are so many valuable skills they will be able to transfer into all settings after high school,” she explains, “whether it be a job, school, travel, etc.”
At Iowa Connections Academy, “students learn to become self-starters and self-regulators,” she continues, essential skills for succeeding in the workplace and in many of life’s pursuits. For Ms. Murphy, even the classroom experience presents new opportunities for her as a teacher “to foster excitement,” as well as many different activities for “students to interact with one another.”
There are so many valuable skills [students] will be able to transfer into all settings after high school, whether it be a job, school, travel, etc.
— Ms. Murphy
Beyond the Classroom
Outside of school, Ms. Murphy likes to travel as much as possible. She enjoys reading and is a proud supporter of the Iowa State Cyclones.