About Mrs. Keller

As someone who views her father as a hero, Jacqueline has always thought that his chosen profession—education—is the most respectable field. Sitting in on lectures at UConn as a grade-schooler and later enjoying the privilege of having her father as a teacher, Jacqueline was always drawn to the idea of working for a school, but didn't know what that could look like if she didn't want to teach.

After attending a private Catholic high school, Jacqueline persued a college degree in communications and public relations at The University of Scranton. While there, a mentor asked her a question that would further shape her future career: did she want to be for-profit, or non-profit, and did she want to work at an agency or internally for a company? Returning to her father's influence, she realized she could work in marketing and communications for a non-profit, ideally a school.

After completing two internships with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society during her college years, she took a job for three years with the Society's Connecticut Chapter as a communications specialist. There, she learned the value of connecting with constituents and the importance of working for a cause you believe in. As the Society went through a nation-wide reorganization process and Jacqueline began polishing her resume in case she needed to seek alternative routes, something very serendipitous happened: Jim Detora from Avon Old Farms School sent her a message on LinkedIn, asking if she perhaps might be willing to interview for a job opening.

Within a week, Jacqueline had accepted a role with Avon's marketing and communications department. She began as a project manager, and soon grew into the role of associate director of communications & publications, and currently serves as director of the department. Today, she manages the school's many communications projects, including the bi-annual magazine the Avonian, the monthly alumni newsletter the Winged Beaver News, and the bi-monthly 2-Week Parent Rundown. She also manages the school's social media, website, and photography. 

"My role at Avon is everything I could dream of in a job—working with exceptional faculty and staff to promote all that Avon does to mold young men of upstanding character is very rewarding," she says. "While the school year is predictable, there is always something new happening at Avon and I love the chance to promote all of the wonderful work we do every day."

FUN FACTS

• Jacqueline enjoys Legos and has a full cityscape in her basement.
• She is named after Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who while known for being the first lady, was also a writer, photographer, and book editor.
• She has completed two half marathons–two halves make a whole, right?
• She loves cats!