Jennifer Tonkinson
With VCS Since
2018
Campus Location
Tempe Campus (K-8)
Primary Grade Level Serving
Junior High 7-8
Positions
JH Language Arts Teacher, JH Student Council
Contact
Phone: 480.900.7100
Church Affiliation
Christ Church
Biography
Jennifer was born in Texas but calls Arizona her home; however, she never forgets her southern roots! The warm sun and amazing weather keep her loving her desert home. She is a graduate of Gilbert High and felt the draw back to Texas to study education at Baylor University in Waco. Even though she loved the southern charm of Waco, she returned to Arizona to pursue teaching.
Valley Christian has become like family to her. Her husband, Greg, is the VCS Spiritual Life Director for K-12 and is the Engage Director for the school’s mission program. Jennifer and Greg have 5 children, all of whom have attended and/or graduated from Valley at some point. They have only one left, their son Luke, who will be a senior this year.
With five kids, a daughter-in-law and a new grandbaby, Jennifer stays quite busy! When she and her husband have some time to themselves, they usually enjoy a run together or grabbing a bite to eat. When Jennifer has free time, she enjoys reading a good book, cooking, spending time with family, and walking their two goldendoodles, Simba and Pumba.
Before coming to Valley Christian Junior High, Jennifer taught junior high at Bethany Christian School in Tempe. She also spent time in the public sector as an ELA teacher. She has a great love for literature and language. As well, she enjoys the challenge and reward of being in the classroom every day. Jennifer considers it a great blessing that the Lord would allow her the privilege to teach young minds. In 2024, Jennifer was named the Herzog Foundation Christian School Teacher of the Year.
Credentials
Baylor University, Bachelor of Science in Education, 1998