Episode Details

Jennifer Cantor is a proud graduate of the University of North Georgia, where she received a degree in English with a concentration in Writing and Publication. She went on from college to become an English teacher at Rivers Academy (formerly known as Chalk to Champions) in the Fall of 2008. Jennifer quickly became immersed in the school and explored any opportunity that became available. Within her first two years at Rivers, she gained the role of Teacher Liaison and Admissions Coordinator. Jennifer completed her master's degree in Educational Administration from National University in March of 2014. She became the Principal of Rivers Academy in the Fall of 2014. For the next four years Jennifer strived to create a school where students and staff feel valued and accepted. Rivers Academy has become leaders in their industry by providing students a high-quality college preparatory curriculum in just three school days.

At the age of 34, Jennifer became a co-owner in June of 2018 with her business partner, Debbie Beasley. During their first year of ownership, Rivers Academy joined the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA), where they have gone on to win three state championships in Golf and Swimming over the past three years. The school expanded by opening a new middle school building and adding eight new teachers at the start of the 2019-2020 school year. We currently have 240 students in 5th-12th grade and 32 staff members.

Jennifer has received the Greater North Fulton Chamber's Women Influencing Business Rising Star Award in 2020. She has had the opportunity to serve on several external review committees for schools seeking accreditation, and she has really enjoyed being able to speak on various podcasts sharing her experience as the Principal and Co-owner of Rivers Academy. She loves any chance she gets to support her community and share her love and passion for the school with others. Jennifer lives in Cumming with her husband, David, and their two children, Reese and Margo. She loves camping with her family and spending time outdoors. Jennifer considers herself extremely lucky and blessed to have the opportunity to serve such amazing students, families, and staff at Rivers Academy!

• Being a great teacher requires you to disconnect with the university's definition of great teaching.
• Inspire and motivate students to pursue their passion outside of the classroom.
• Overcome the hardest part about operating outside the box in a unique way.

• A plan to give kids balance without academic compromise.

• Plant seeds to create real results for your community.
• Give teachers a school where creativity shines and time is available for developing their passion for students and watch the magic happen.

• Activities and professional development inspired from the podcast to hallways for meaningful transformation.

"You can provide students with balance. There's nothing wrong with full time public or full time private, but one size doesn't fit all. We all remember the teachers who shook it up in the classroom. We want to be a part of a school that shakes it up for everybody and gives teachers the autonomy to be what they jumped into teaching to be."

- Jennifer Cantor

Jennifer Cantor Transcript

• Jennifer Cant