Take Five with Jennifer Marrero, Teacher of the Visually Impaired at Otis Elementary

Take Five is a series that highlights some of the many members of the CPS community who are going above and beyond for our schools. If you know someone who is making a difference, nominate them to be featured here.

Meet Jennifer Marrero, a teacher of the visually impaired (TVI) at James Otis Elementary School! Otis is one of three CPS elementary schools that have VI resource rooms—spaces specifically designed for blind and visually impaired students. In this room, students are able to build community with one another while Ms. Marrero helps them develop important vision-related skills based on the Expanded Core Curriculum like orientation and mobility, independent living skills, and mastering assistive technology.

Ms. Marrero recently helped her students launch the “Chill Day Cafe” out of the VI resource room—a student-run cafe complete with its own business plan. This creative learning experience allows students to build confidence, social skills, and customer service skills. In the future, the Chill Day Cafe will begin charging a very small amount of money so that students can also develop money-handling skills.

“Jennifer is a remarkable teacher who consistently sets the highest expectations for her blind and visually impaired students,” says one of Ms. Marrero’s colleagues at Otis. “She blends creativity, passion, and high standards to ensure every student sees themselves as capable, independent, and ready to take on the world. Her passion is contagious."

Learn more about Ms. Marrero below!

How did you start working with blind and visually impaired students?

I was working at a tech start-up in San Francisco, and I wasn’t super happy. I knew I needed a change, and I just happened to stumble across the Guide Dogs for the Blind organization. I was immediately intrigued, and I enrolled in the TVI and orientation mobility program at San Francisco State University. I went into it thinking I was only interested in training guide dogs. I didn’t think I was ever going to be a teacher, but then I ended up loving working with the kids.

How do you think your students and colleagues would describe you?

I hope they’d say that I’m relaxed, patient, and practical. Last year, they gave out awards, and I received one for “radiating positive energy,” which was really nice.

What is your favorite thing about your work?

The kids! Because I am working with my students for multiple years, I get to know them and their families on a deeper level. I also really enjoy seeing my students become more independent and gain confidence, and I love being able to show the world how capable they are.

How have you changed as an educator over the course of your career?

I definitely feel more confident making decisions. There’s always more to learn, and I still get stumped and ask others for input. But now I know that as long as I’m making choices in the best interest of students, I’m on the right path.

What do you like to do outside of work?

I enjoy gardening, eating good food, exploring the city, and hanging out with my dog! I have a six-year-old pit bull named Pork Chop, and she is the cutest and sweetest dog I’ve ever had. I love animals, so I enjoy volunteering at Chicago Animal Care and Control as well.