Difference Maker: Jennifer Shreeve

By Michele Zoller, Operations Manager

Making a daily impact in our community as a Trusted Adult and creating a Safe Space for our youth.

As school winds down for another year, I wanted to take a moment to highlight someone who goes above and beyond for the students at Eagle Valley Highschool (EVHS). School secretaries are the front line of a school; working demanding mental and emotional hours while dealing with students, parents, administrators and teachers and generally getting little to no recognition.            

Ms. Jennifer Shreeve has been this person at Eagle Valley Highschool for two years and the difference she makes on a daily basis touching many with her helpfulness, patience, kindness and mostly, listening with a kind ear.  We talk about Safe Spaces and Trusted Adults often at Mountain Youth and the front desk of Eagle Valley High School has become just that.  Jen has a drawer full of snacks, which started as a kind gesture for those who maybe needed a little extra to get thru the day but then developed into a place where kids would come not only for their favorite snack she bought just for them but also when they needed a mental break, a laugh, someone to vent to, a kind hello or just asking how their day is going.

Jen has a special understanding of these students walking the halls as she too is class of 1998 alum of EVHS.  Jen was born and raised in Eagle County and during the course of her career has worked 10+ years in our school district.  Starting as a young adult at just 19 years of age with a job in the Special Ed Department at Eagle Valley Middle School (EVMS).  This is where she credits her approach of making a connection with each student from her mentor Deb Ramsey, who is currently the Social Studies teacher at EVMS but who too has made a career of making an impact on our youth in the Eagle County School District. Ms. Ramsey told her once, “What works for one does not work for everyone” which can be applied to many aspects of someone’s life.  And this started a changed mindset in building rapport with each youth in their own special way. 

Jens foundation of caring and listening came from her large close family of 3 sisters, parents and grandma all here in Eagle county who she will see most or all of her family on any given day whether its for a shared meal, a quick chat or supporting each other’s kids at their sporting events.  She is passing this mindset down to her two kind and outstanding children Zakia (gradating EVHS senior) and Tavin (rising Sophomore at EVHS).   Jen does not have much free time with the full schedule of activities of her children but when she takes time to re-charge you can find her at her nieces and nephews’ events or spending time with friends.  

I encourage each of you to take the time to thank those who are making a difference in you children’s lives whether small or large and know this person can be anywhere even just working hard at the front desk of your child’s school. 

Thanks Jen for making an impact in so many lives of the youth in our community on a daily basis and not because it’s your job but because you want to.