Jennifer Nakahara

BA, Education, University of Richmond

MEd., Educational Leadership and Curriculum Development, Penn State University

Jennifer’s interest in and curiosity about other cultures began at age seven when her family hosted their first international exchange student. After living with many more exchange students, Jennifer realized a passion for connection with people whose lives were seemingly different from her own. In her junior year of high school, she became an exchange student.  That experience abroad, and later working with underserved populations during college, gave her a deeper understanding of the commonalities of our human experience. Those passions for connection and understanding have never waned. As a teacher she created a multi-disciplinary, integrated curriculum aimed to raise students’ awareness of and appreciation for other cultures. When not teaching in the summers, Jennifer lived and worked in various countries around the world. Those immersive experiences had her craving more. So, at age 30, she took a leave of absence to backpack around the world, living and traveling as a member of an NGO, volunteering in classrooms and helping teachers create their own curriculum.

Jennifer now lays claim to the role of which she is most proud, Mother to boy/girl twins. In addition to the plethora of day to day tasks involved in raising children and running a household, Jennifer volunteered in the twins’ schools, including as PTA president and district parent council president.  In the community, she has been a library board member and volunteer, soccer coach, and active member of a non-profit supporting schools in Philadelphia. An advocate for authentic travel, Jennifer and her family spent several summers living abroad through home exchanges.

In the fall of 2022, Jennifer’s son completed the Andes Amazon gap semester with Dragons. Despite having lived in another country as an exchange student himself, and having traveled  throughout the world with his family, this experience was like no other. He came home with a new outlook on life, and an exciting vision for his future. He loved Dragons so much, he chose to work at their instructor training camp in the summer. As a mother, Jennifer was so moved by how deeply and positively Dragons affected her son that she was inspired to approach them about joining their organization.

Today, she and her husband enjoy visiting their kids at college, and relish their time as a family during school breaks. Jennifer has also developed a passion for healthy living. When not hiking with her dog, visiting farmers markets, volunteering on the Temple University Family Council, traveling, or doing yoga, she enjoys connecting with other parents and sharing her enthusiasm for the transformative power of Where There Be Dragons.