About Jennie Earl
I’m an education advocate who’s had the chance to experience just about every corner of the school world—public, charter, home, and private. My perspective comes from both my professional work in education and my real-life adventures navigating schools as a parent. I hold a master’s degree in education from Weber State University and have taught special education and middle school math (my favorite part of the day).
I currently serve on the Utah State Board of Education, representing Northern Utah. I’m all about practical, common-sense approaches to education policy—the kind that actually make sense in real classrooms. My focus is on helping schools better support students and families while staying grounded in what really matters day to day.
I’m passionate about improving student outcomes by tackling real challenges schools face today, like safety, technology use, privacy, and effective instruction. I’m guided by a strong belief that solid fundamentals, clear expectations, and thoughtful decision-making can truly make a difference for students across Utah.
I’m deeply grateful for the love and support of my spouse, Dr. Brett Earl. I treasure being a mom and grandmother and love the daily opportunities to grow, learn, and laugh alongside my children and grandchildren.
Jennie's Priorities
Assisting Parents
Appropriate Technology
Assisting Parents
- Promote positive engagement between schools and parents.
- Focus on structures that build academic success.
- Keep parents informed on education issues
- Increase flexibility, access and options for families.
Effective Policy
Appropriate Technology
Assisting Parents
- eliminate ineffective programs
- support effective instructional practices
- Require high expectations from students to educators
- Funding accountability
Educator support
Appropriate Technology
Appropriate Technology
- Adoption of clear usable standards for classroom implementation
- Expanding time and resources for educators
- Consolidate and simplify demands placed on Utah educators.
Appropriate Technology
Appropriate Technology
Appropriate Technology
- Protect the privacy of students and educators
- Evaluate and strengthen data contracts and agreements.
- Prohibit policies and programs that surveil students.
- Understand the use and impact of AI in school settings.
- Create a working framework for AI.
Priorities
Assisting Parents
Jennie works to promote positive engagement between parents and schools. As a state board member, she assists parents in working with their local schools, leveraging information for better academic outcomes, and helping parents navigate Utah's education system and the many options available today.
Effective Policy
Utah’s new strategic plan renews the State Board’s commitment to academic excellence for every student. Jennie played a pivotal role in shaping this vision, helping turn aspiration into action. She champions programs that strengthen learning and improve outcomes across the state. This may include updating standards, eliminating ineffective programs, strengthening strategies that lead to academic success, and developing high quality resources.
Educator Supports
Jennie has been instrumental in championing the adoption of thoughtfully vetted standards for ease of use in classrooms. She has advocated for additional pay and meaningful resources that empower teachers to prepare, teach, and inspire with confidence. She loves visiting schools and talking with educators about what is working in their classrooms.
Appropriate Technology
Through her leadership, Jennie has actively supported research and initiatives that improve the state’s practices and reinforce accountable, ethical partnerships with education technology providers.
Jennie is committed to protecting the individual privacy of students and educators, and changing the behavior of eduction technology companies.
Utah State School Board District 1
