Jess is originally from Phoenix, Arizona, where she studied linguistics, and taught English as a second language, using these skills to do non-profit work with a local refugee community. After completing her master’s degree at ASU, she taught middle school Latin at a prep school where she met her husband, L.J. They moved to Charlottesville in July of 2020 so L.J. could study law at U.V.A. She was thrilled to find ONCDC, which combines so many of her interests – community building, thoughtful use of language, child-centered education – in one place!