Jennifer Shy was born and raised in Virginia and moved to Cleveland in 2010 from Raleigh, North Carolina. She received her undergraduate degree in English at the University of Virginia and a graduate teaching certification from Rider University. Mrs. Shy has taught ELA to students in grades 3-6 in North Carolina and in Mississippi. Mrs. Shy has been a part of the faculty of Hayes Cooper Center since 2012.

Mrs. Shy works in the extended day program at Hayes Cooper Center two afternoons a week and directs the children’s program at her church. She has five children, ages 14-24: one in graduate school, one who teaches ninth-grade science, two in college, and one at Cleveland Central High School. Her husband, Michael Smith, is a writer, department chair, and literature professor at Delta State University.

Mrs. Shy loves teaching and working with children of all ages, and she loves to read books! Her favorite children’s book is Matilda, by Roald Dahl.