Jennifer Slabbinck joins the Portland Public Schools on July 1 as the new executive director of human resources.  

This will mark Slabbinck’s 23rd year in education, after having served pre-K through adult students and staff in both California and Maine.

She began her career as a teacher in both the elementary and middle school settings, working with students in second through sixth grades, including two years as a multi-age (grades 4-6) teacher for students identified as gifted/talented. As an administrator, she worked in the Los Angeles Unified School District, where she supported gifted/talented programming and Response to Instruction and Intervention efforts throughout the Los Angeles area, followed by the Glendale Unified School District as an administrator overseeing a Magnet Schools Assistance Program grant as well as the district's immersion programs at the elementary and middle school levels. She wrapped up the California part of her career serving nine years in the Culver City Unified School District, first as an elementary school principal for six years and then as assistant superintendent of human resources for three years.  In addition, she has served as an elementary school principal for the last two years here in Maine.

Slabbinck has presented on topics related to gifted/talented education, Response to Instruction and Intervention, and human resources issues at the local, state, and national level. She holds a bachelor's degree from New York University and a master's degree in Educational Leadership from California State University, Northridge.

In her spare time, Slabbinck enjoys gardening, kayaking, traveling, and, most importantly, spending time with her family.