Former elementary school teacher Jennifer Pawlik now serves in the Arizona State House of Representatives. Photo Credit: Jennifer Pawlik
Many fine educators also serve their communities as politicians. One of these is Jennifer Pawlik, a former elementary school teacher from Arizona who currently serves in the State House of Representatives.
Jennifer earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University in 1996. In 2010, she earned her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction through a collaborative cohort between Northern Arizona University and Chandler Unified School District.
After completing her education, Jennifer became a teacher. She worked in public schools for more than two decades, the last nine in the Chandler Unified School District. As a classroom teacher, Jennifer served as a member of the Chandler Education Association, where she represented elementary school teachers in the bargaining process for improved contracts and better benefits. Currently, she teaches undergraduate students in the College of Education at Northern Arizona University, Chandler-Gilbert Community College campus.
While a teacher, Jennifer also became an active leader in her community. She served as Secretary of the Legislative District 17 Democrats, she was a former Precinct Committeeman in the Emmett precinct, and she was elected a State Committee member. After becoming involved in local campaigns in 2014, Jennifer was encouraged to apply to Emerge Arizona, a six-month program that trains Democratic women to hold public office. She graduated from the program in 2015. Next, Jennifer participated in the Leading for Change program in the spring of 2016. During the spring of 2018, she was honored to be named as a Flinn-Brown Fellow.
Jennifer inaugurated her career as a politician in 2018 when she was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent District 17 in the Arizona House of Representatives. In November, 2022, she was re-elected to the State House, this time representing District 13. There she serves on the Committees for Education, Judiciary, Government and Elections, and Ways and Means.
