JENNIFER JEROME
Omaha,NE
Summary
With over three decades of experience in communication education, executive coaching, and competitive speech and debate, I bring both academic depth and real-world relevance to the classroom. My 36 years as a classroom teacher and coach have allowed me to develop curriculum, mentor diverse learners, and cultivate confident, capable communicators.
In addition to my educational background, I currently work with corporate executives to enhance presentation skills, leadership communication, and audience engagement strategies. This professional experience enables me to bridge theory and practice—helping students understand not only foundational communication principles, but also how those principles translate directly to career and community success.
I am passionate about creating an inclusive, engaging learning environment where students feel supported and challenged. At Metro Community College, I would be committed to equipping students with practical communication skills that strengthen academic performance, professional readiness, and civic participation.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Communication Coach
The Speech Improvement Company
Omaha, NE
01.2025 - Current
- Coach professionals on clarity, confidence, and persuasive communication in high-stakes settings.
- Prepare clients for presentations, pitches, interviews, and leadership conversations.
- Refine messaging and narrative structure using audience-centered frameworks.
- Provide targeted feedback and one-on-one coaching to drive measurable performance improvement.
Director Coaches Clinic
Institute for Speech and Debate (ISD)
07.2020 - Current
- Coordinated schedules for 10+ coaches to present to attendees.
- Led sessions for attendees providing resources to make speech and debate coaching more effective.
- Held synchronous sessions to help coach stakeholders on current speech and debate trends.
- Coordinated hospitality; logistics (parking, arrival, etc.).
Classroom public speaking teacher and coach
Millard West High School
Omaha, NE
01.2000 - 01.2025
- Designed standards-based curriculum for district-wide communication courses.
- Managed speech classrooms for over 300 students annually.
- Communicated with parents, students and administration through email and social media.
- Head Forensics Coach-Managed teams of 5-40 people, coordinated practices, established timelines, managed budgets and expenditures, conducted administrative duties (travel, hotel, etc.)
- Director Mock Job Interview-Community Involvement Project; liaison with community stakeholders from local businesses; coordinated hospitality; aligned project outcomes to district-based standards.
- School Liaison for the district wide Partners for Education project- liaison with community stakeholders from local businesses.
Adjunct Professor
Creighton University & Metropolitan Community College
Omaha, NE
- Taught semester-long courses in public speaking to a diverse group of stakeholders.
- Crafted lectures and learning resources that account for different backgrounds, experiences, and standpoints.
- Maintained online classroom outlets for course materials, including readings, assessments, and research tools.
Member Board of Directors-volunteer service
National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA)
01.2014 - 01.2024
- Served as Co-Chair Competition and Rules Committee-designed and communicated rules of competition to stakeholders.
- Served as Chair Code of Conduct Committee-designed set of rules for member coaches to follow.
- Served on Governance Committee-team management with other board members dealing with strategic planning for the organization.
- 2024 Board Nomination Committee-conducted interviews of potential board members from across the country with diverse backgrounds.
- Served as a rules adjudicator, during every national tournament (high school and middle school levels), on a panel of 3 to determine protest outcomes.
- Emcee for Middle School National Awards Ceremony.
- Emcee for High School Awards Ceremony.
- Elected local NSDA NE Committee (24 years).
Education
Master of Arts - Thesis focused on the effectiveness of teams in secondary education
Bellevue University
MA Communication - Project focused on Communication Apprehension in a Job Interview
University of Nebraska At Omaha
BS in Education - Endorsements in Speech and English
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Skills
- Communication
- Organization
- Problem Solving
- Research
- Critical Thinking
- Microsoft Office Suite
- G-Suite
- Zoom
- Slack
Timeline
Executive Communication Coach
The Speech Improvement Company
01.2025 - Current
Director Coaches Clinic
Institute for Speech and Debate (ISD)
07.2020 - Current
Member Board of Directors-volunteer service
National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA)
01.2014 - 01.2024
Classroom public speaking teacher and coach
Millard West High School
01.2000 - 01.2025
Adjunct Professor
Creighton University & Metropolitan Community College
Master of Arts - Thesis focused on the effectiveness of teams in secondary education
Bellevue University
MA Communication - Project focused on Communication Apprehension in a Job Interview
University of Nebraska At Omaha
BS in Education - Endorsements in Speech and English
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
- NSDA Coaches Hall of Fame - Inducted Spring of 2022
- NSDA Coach of the Year - Awarded the 2018 Nebraska Coach of the Year by the NSDA
- NSDA Student of the Year - Coached the NSDA 2019 Student of the Year
- NSCTA Conference - Organized and led workshops for the NSCTA (Nebraska Speech Communication and Theater Association) regional adult convention to foster and promote current communication trends in the classroom. Have presented 6 times and coordinated the entire conference 3 times since 2004
- NSDA Educational Conference 2018 - Presented, on a panel, to attendees to answer questions about the organization and how to obtain coaching resources
- NSCTA Recognition 2010 - Awarded the John Thurber Distinguished Teacher Award. This honor is designed to recognize individuals who have displayed exceptional teaching ability, innovation in teaching methods and contributions to the growth and professionalism of organizations in speech communications and/or publications.
- Created Inclusive Speech Competition - Organized an inner school speech competition for students with intellectual disabilities. This led the NSA (Nebraska Schools Activities Association) to implement it at the State Competition level. Worked with Special Olympics Nebraska to create a handbook for Unified Speech competitions.
- NIETOC (National Individual Events Tournament of Champions) Workshop Presenter - 2023-was a part of a panel discussion to answer questions from attendees (students and coaches) about current trends in the activity. 2024-led coaches and competitors through a workshop discussing Ethical Judging: Where have we been, where are we, where are we going.
- NCFL (National Catholic Forensics League) 2010 Grand National Tournament Host - Coordinated logistics for students, coaches, judges, and volunteers. Managed event planning, scheduling, and on-site problem-solving to ensure a smooth tournament experience. Collaborated with national organizers, school administrators, and community partners to support tournament operations. Represented the organization professionally to diverse stakeholders, reinforcing a welcoming and mission-driven experience.