Dr. Jennifer Garrison

In Vandalia, leadership is measured by the strength of one’s character and how they encourage the best in others rather than by titles or news clippings. It takes form over time, shaped by the challenges, trials, victories, and moments of clarity that accrue through one’s service to a greater good. Like a stalagmite, with each drop of mineral-rich moisture adding to its stature, so it is with the banked experience of leadership.

Jennifer Garrison is the product of the metaphorical, mineral-rich waters of experience. For her, leadership is a quiet, steady force. We met to talk about it on an early Thursday morning, a few weeks after the school year had resumed, and she’d already been on-deck for several hours, completing her morning run, readying her sixth-grade son Colten for school, and navigating district priorities in a succession of several meetings. I’ve known since I first met her that she was an effective leader, but what was new to me was how this polished skillset had been wrought and burnished by an unlikely series of events she doubtless never saw coming.

Jennifer’s journey began in Vandalia, where she was raised in a family that valued hard work, community, and service. Her decision to join the Illinois Army National Guard was a natural extension of these values. “The Guard taught me the importance of collaboration and trust,” Jennifer recalls. “In the military, you learn quickly that success isn’t just about your own efforts; it’s about how well you work with others.” This belief in the power of teamwork has been a cornerstone of her approach to leadership. Serving in a Stateside support role to the U.S. response to the 9/11 attacks, Jennifer quickly converted the dry runs of simulated National Guard training into practical execution and support of live fire abroad.

She started teaching third grade at Alhambra in the Highland School District while simultaneously serving in the Illinois Army National Guard, earning her degree in Administration from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville only after completing her nine years of service. The next step?—a principalship at age 27 in Ramsey. The leadership lessons from the National Guard still very present in her day-to-day life, Jennifer began to capture the attention of veteran educators who became important mentors. She was encouraged to pursue her superintendent credential, which soon landed her the role in Sandoval, but the possibility of coming home, while subject to a circuitous route, was always on her mind. In 2018 the opportunity arose to lead Vandalia Schools as its superintendent and she knew this was where she belonged. “Coming back to Vandalia was more than just a career move; it was a chance to give back to the community that raised me,” she says.

Jennifer’s leadership philosophy is rooted in the lessons she learned both in the military and from the influential figures in her life. She speaks fondly of her mentors—teachers, coaches, and community leaders—who instilled in her the importance of integrity, humility, and leading by example. “I’ve been fortunate to have people in my life who showed me what true leadership looks like,” she says. “It’s about being there for others, earning their trust, and making decisions that benefit the whole community.”

In her role as superintendent, Jennifer doesn’t seek the spotlight. Instead, she focuses on the collective success of her team—the teachers, staff, students, and families who make up the fabric of Vandalia Schools. “It’s not about me,” she emphasizes. “It’s about all of us working together to create a positive environment for our students. I see myself as a facilitator, someone who helps bring out the best in others.” As an outside observer—an honorary Vandal, if you will—I’ve seen this recurring theme to which Dr. Garrison is steadfastly committed, ‘we’re better together.’ She lives it and she promotes it. I see it in everything she does.

Jennifer’s dedication to her community extends far beyond the walls of the school. Her involvement in leadership roles is extensive, both within the education field and the broader community. Jennifer serves as a powerful advocate for rural education, holding key positions like the president of the Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools (AIRSS) and contributing to state-level initiatives that have a meaningful impact on rural districts. She has been instrumental in securing evidence-based funding for Vandalia Schools, ensuring that even the most underserved students receive the resources they need to succeed.

Beyond her professional commitments, Jennifer is deeply involved in physical fitness activities like rucking and Tough Mudder competitions, which reflect her commitment to resilience and goal-setting—qualities she consistently encourages in both her staff and students. “Physical fitness is a big part of my life, and it’s taught me a lot about perseverance and setting goals,” she shares. “These are lessons that apply to leadership and education as well.”

Despite the demands of her role, Jennifer remains grounded by her connections to her hometown. Her leadership philosophy is deeply influenced by the guidance she received from her parents—Brenda and Gary—and community members, which she now pays forward. “I am who I am because of the people who invested in me,” she says, including husband Mike, who casually suggested that she ‘get a hobby.’ As those words left his mouth, I’m not convinced he would have envisioned Jennifer’s school board presenting her with a weighted vest in recognition of all her achievements running, crawling, and scrambling over obstacles and through the mud, but I can’t think of a better metaphor for a life in leadership. Reflecting on her journey, she says, “My goal is to do the same for the students and staff in Vandalia. I want them to know they’re supported and that they can achieve great things, just like I was taught.”

As Jennifer continues to lead Vandalia Schools, her quiet, steady force as a leader is much like the stalagmite, growing stronger with each drop of experience and service. She leads with a deep sense of gratitude to those who have served before. She sees it as her responsibility to honor the legacy of those who came before her. Her story really isn’t about her accomplishments, but about the community that has shaped her, and the shared vision she continues to build. It’s clear that in Vandalia, true leadership really is about fostering a collective strength—proving, as Jennifer so often says, that “we’re better together.”