Bio
I would like to take the time to introduce myself. My name is Carol Jenkins, and I am the newest board member serving on the NCBVI Board of Commissioners as well as being the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska’s designee.
I was born on May 21, 1983 and was raised in Troy, Kansas, where I grew up on a farm with my parents and two siblings. After graduating with honors from Troy High School in 2001, I was determined to attend college. I enrolled in classes at Highland Community College and set out to work my way through school. By this time, I was living with my new step-family in Atchison, Kansas, where I worked at Long John Silvers and became a team leader and manager.
I graduated from Highland Community College, with honors in 2003, with an Associate of Arts Degree in Mathematics and an Associate of Science Degree in Science. After graduation, I took some time off from school and worked at a local casino to save money for furthering my education. This is where I met my husband, Brett, whom I married in the summer of 2006. Up to this point, I had planned to become a veterinarian, but I soon realized I had a calling to educate others. I knew this would be a difficult task, but I told myself I could do anything I set my mind to. In the fall of 2004, I enrolled at Peru State College, where I decided to become an education major.
After completing the Fall 2006 semester, at Peru State College, I determined it was time for me to obtain rehabilitation training from the Nebraska Center for the Blind, to further enhance and aid in the accomplishment of my goals. I graduated from the Nebraska Orientation Center for the Blind in June of 2007 just in time for my student teaching experience in the Fall 2007 semester at Peru State College. I sailed through my student teaching experience, the Federal No Child Left Behind Testing, and Teacher Certification through the State of Nebraska. I graduated, Summa Cum Laude, from Peru State College in December of 2007 with my Bachelors of Science Degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Development.
Currently, I reside in Lincoln, Nebraska, where I am employed through Family Service. I work in the Preschool room at the Early Childhood Center as well as in the Youth Development Program at Riley Elementary School. I am a member of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska-Lincoln Chapter and have been the recipient of a state and national scholarship through the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska and the National Federation of the Blind. I have attended Washington Seminar, participated in the first Junior Science Academy and the National Federation of the Blind’s Mentoring Program, and plan on running for office on the local and state levels in 2009.
I care about the service and success of the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired because I have participated in many of the programs offered as both student and volunteer staff I am one who has truly been helped by the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired and will help to ensure that other blind individuals will be aided so they too can become independent members of society.
Carol Jenkins
