This year, we are so fortunate to welcome many exceptional new faculty members to the Nazareth community and among them is Jennifer Newberry the new Physical Education, Health and Team Sports Teacher. Newberry knows firsthand the benefits of physical education for students; since she was a student athlete herself.

Newberry started her college education at Ball State, but after one year, transferred to Western Illinois where she played tennis for three years. She loved her time at Western especially because of the bonds she formed with the girls on her tennis team and the girls from her sorority. 

“I had a very good experience with school and sports at Western Illinois,” Newberry said. She would later go on to receive her Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Governors State University. 

Newberry has been teaching for the past 16 years and has loved every minute of it. “Teaching has always been my passion and I love teaching gym and health,” she said. Newberry has taught both at the high school and middle school levels: high school for 10 and middle school for 6. While both were great experiences, Newberry has always loved teaching high school students, so when she saw the job opening at Naz, she jumped at the opportunity right away. 

Coming to Naz, is a bit of a homecoming for Newberry who grew up in La Grange Park. She has always loved the community, so when she decided to come to Naz, she not only got to be a part of a school she admired, but she got to be back in the town she loved. “I loved this neighborhood and I am so happy to be back here,” she said. 

It’s no surprise that in her free time Newberry prefers to stay active; she likes running, walking, and hiking. She also likes to spend time at the beach and just be with her dog, family and friends – including her three children who graduated from Lyons Township High School. 

Newberry also exercises her mind as she likes to read – a lot. “Reading has always been a passion of mine and it’s something I do a lot in my free time.