“Don’t downgrade your dream to fit your reality, upgrade your conviction to align with your destiny!” -Anonymous

 

Dr. Luronda T. Jennings was born August 31, 1981 to Lurone and Glinda Jennings, who were both educators and coaches before retiring from the school system.  Luronda was inspired at the age of 10 years old to one day become a teacher as well. Teaching her stuffed animals lined up on her daybed and playing softball from age four to 18, grew her passion for educating and coaching youth.

 

Luronda started her path in the field of education at the age of 15 as a Camp Counselor at The Bethlehem Center.  While she was working toward her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Ecology: Child and Family Studies, Luronda worked as a Substitute Teacher at Dalewood Middle School.  It didn’t take long for her to gain full-time employment at Dalewood Middle as an Educational Assistant in the Comprehensive Development Classroom serving students with moderate to severe disabilities.  Her love and passion for working with students with disabilities drove her to pursue a Master’s degree in Special Education K-12, immediately after she graduated with her Bachelor’s degree. She began her professional teaching career as a 3rd grade Teacher at Inner City Christian Academy.  During her 14 year tenure as a licensed Special Educator, to include 7 years of coaching softball and volleyball, Luronda has taught at East Lake Academy, Brainerd High School, The Howard School, East Ridge Middle School and Orchard Knob Middle School. She also worked as a Behavior Specialist at Oakdale Elementary School in Oakdale, Minnesota and as the College and Career Advisor at her alma mater, Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences.  She is currently an Exceptional Education Lead Teacher for Hamilton County Schools, serving the 13 Opportunity Zone Schools. She is also a Professional Development Facilitator. Utilizing a training she created, Luronda educates teachers, parents, and teachers about the function of disabilities and ways to accommodate individuals with disabilities, while embracing their ability. In April 2020, Luronda received her Doctorate in Leadership and Professional Practice from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN.  In addition to her current career, Luronda aspires to teach education majors at the collegiate level, write motivational books for women and children’s and books centered around disability awareness, as well as facilitate professional development on a larger scale.

 

Besides serving  youth, teachers and parents in Hamilton County Schools, Luronda is a member and Singles Ministry Leader at Grace Pointe Church of Chattanooga.  She enjoys volunteering her time to assist organizations whose vision has a component that will help better our youth and community in some way.  Luronda currently serves on the Board of Directors for Y-CAP: The YMCA Community Action Project. Previously, Luronda has volunteered with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as a Character Coach.  She also served as the President of the Midtown Council with The Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. In her free time Luronda enjoys writing poetry and working toward the next level of her destiny, while sitting in local coffee shops.