Jennifer Barbee Wilder
Jennifer Barbee Wilder has taught at
Red
Bird
Mission
School
since August of 1992. During that time she has served as Fifth Grade Teacher (five years), Christian Education Music Leader, School Volunteer Coordinator, Girl Scout Leader/Service Unit Manager and Box Tops Coordinator.
When a School Board Member suggested the school look into the Reading Recovery (individualized reading instruction) Program, Jennifer agreed to go through the year of intensive training and then spent three more years as a Reading Recovery Teacher.
In 2002, she returned to the classroom as a First Grade Teacher.
Jennifer earned a B.A. in 1991 and M.A. in 1992, in Education, from The University of Florida.
Jennifer's decision to follow God's call to
Kentucky
brings her life full-circle. Born in
Lexington
,
Kentucky
to Philip and Jo Alice Barbee, Jennifer attended Trinity Hill UMC where Noel White was her pastor. Five years later, Jennifer's family moved to
Deerfield
,
Illinois
where they attended Christ UMC. It was during this time that she began a personal relationship with Christ. After six years, Jennifer's family moved to
Far Hills
,
New Jersey
. This move brought her to Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church, where she was baptized and confirmed. There her faith grew and she was introduced to the New Wilmington (PA) Missionary Conference which is an annual week-long celebration of missions on the campus of
Westminster
College
. In seven years Jennifer went from camper to High School counselor to Young Adult counselor. Each summer she learned more about her Lord and Savior and His call to
all of his people to be lights unto the world. Jennifer took that call to heart and applied for and won a scholarship to do a two-month Summer Service Mission Experience in Sells,
Arizona
on a Papago Indian Reservation. As one of six young adults on the team, Jennifer learned the joys and realities of mission work. God's call grew ever stronger and eventually led her to Red Bird--back home to
Kentucky
.
Jennifer married Allen Wilder, a local man who has, himself, served
Red
Bird
Mission
School
for 21 years. They have two children: son Thomas, 9, and daughter Annie, 5. Thomas is a third grader at
Red
Bird
Mission
School
and Annie just started kindergarten. Allen and Jennifer are busy and active members of Jack's Creek UMC.
