Employee Spotlight: Jenn Brooks

Outreach Regional Specialist Jennifer Brooks uses her role to give students who are blind or low vision as many opportunities possible. Her passion and drive to make the world a more accessible place are truly contagious!  

Jenn knew that she wanted to go to college to get her degree in Orientation and Mobility (O&M) after stumbling upon the field. O&M offered her a way to give individuals tools and strategies that would aid in their everyday life and offer immediate real-world solutions. While attending Florida State University, she found herself in a lot of classes that also counted towards a degree in Teaching the Visually Impaired (TVI). She graduated as both a TVI and O&M instructor and is also a Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT). 

After graduating and working in the field, Jenn left the United States to go teach in Romania. While there, she worked with schools for the blind to help them grow their Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) classes as well as O&M. Jenn learned the language so she could lead teacher trainings, equipping the teachers with the tools they needed to better educate their students. The programs that Jenn developed during her six years abroad are still making a difference to this day.  

Upon returning stateside, Jenn was a program director and taught at a nonprofit for the blind. Around the same time that APH’s outreach team was looking to grow, Jenn was also wanting to share her passion on a broader level. As soon as a position opened up, Jenn applied and joined the APH team in 2022. As an outreach specialist, Jenn provides professional development and teacher trainings across the Northcentral region—areas of work that Jenn has a lot of love for and experience in.  

During her time at APH, Jenn has been a forerunner for the Abacus Bee – a project thought up by Dr. Leanne Grillot as part of the Outreach Services at APH. What started as a small program only spanning two states, is now an event across 15 states which teachers, students, and families look forward to each year. For Jenn, getting to develop programs has been a true passion of hers, saying “Program development is where my heart lies. I love starting something completely from scratch and watching it grow and develop while solving problems and bringing solutions along the way.” Jenn is able to use all of her experience, education, and creativity to make something new for students who need it. Jenn knows that the programs she helps to create aid the teachers as well. Jenn explains, “I enjoy helping teachers gain the knowledge, skills, and comfort level they need for success in the classroom.” 

Getting to work with the teachers in the field is one of Jenn’s favorite parts of the job. She is able to expand her expertise while giving instructors the resources, materials, and training that will impact learners of all ages. Jenn’s goal is to make things as practical as possible for the teachers, equipping them with concrete skills that will make a difference in the classrooms. “The best thing we do at APH, in my opinion, is the practical solutions we give,” Jenn explains. 

Jenn loves all of the people she works with at APH and is so proud to be a part of the amazing Outreach Team. In addition, she enjoys the opportunities to collaborate with those outside her department such as Dot 6, Product Managers, The Dot Experience team, Advancement, the Prison Braille Network, and others. Jenn truly believes “Everybody at APH is just fabulous!” 

Outside of work, Jenn loves to spend her time in nature. She loves to go on hikes, fishing, kayaking, and so much more. She is also an avid traveler who has visited 30 countries. Jenn’s expertise makes her an invaluable employee, but her passion for the work she does makes her a truly special person to work with. APH is lucky to have her!