Jennifer Mares attended one year of high school in Brownwood, but returned as an adult as has called the Brownwood ISD her work home for more than 20 years.

"I attended Brownwood High School for one year, as my dad was transferred to Brownwood for his job.," Mares said.

"I then attended Texas A&M-Commerce, where I graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, specializing in elementary education. Mares knew from an early age a career in education was in her future. "When I was a child, I was inspired by my first-grade teacher and knew I wanted to become a teacher," Mares said. In 2004, Mares began teaching at Northwest Elementary. "I taught first and second grade," Mares said. "Spending 16 years in the classroom I saw the need for quality dyslexia intervention.