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Dr. Jennings is an Associate Professor in Education at the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia. She is an internationally recognized leader in the field of social and emotional learning with a specific emphasis on teacher stress and how it impacts the social and emotional context of the classroom and student learning. Dr. Jennings received her doctorate in human development from the University of California, Davis. As Senior Director of the Initiative on Contemplative Teaching and Learning at the Garrison Institute, Dr. Jennings led the faculty team that developed Cultivating Awareness and Resilience in Education (CARE for Teachers), a mindfulness-based program for teachers designed to reduce stress and promote improvements in classroom climate and student academic and behavioral outcomes. As the previous Research Assistant Professor at the Prevention Research Center at Penn State University, she conducted a federally funded study demonstrating that CARE improves teachersā€™ general well-being, health, emotional regulation, efficacy, and mindfulness. A study currently underway is examining CAREā€™s effects on classroom climate and student academics and behavior. In addition to research, Dr. Jennings has over 22 years of classroom teaching experience.