Dr. Jesica Chard Trello Turner’s roots are firmly established in Hudson Falls. A member of the Class of 1991, she is among the fourth generation of her family to graduate from Hudson Falls. Dr. Turner is one of four children born to Cindy Trello Chard and Tom Chard. She lived in the family apartment above Trello’s Market and worked in the store alongside her great grandparents (Guy and Mary Trello), her grandparents (Tony and Jean Trello), and her parents, all through high school. She is extremely proud of her extended family.
Her professional accomplishments include her role as a multi-million dollar technology grant evaluator, an adjunct professor at the University of Oklahoma, research assistant at OU’s School of Mechanical Engineering, European travel group leader, and teacher at both private and public schools.
Since earning her Ph.D. with distinction at the University of Oklahoma in 2005, she has been recognized for both her ability and her accomplishments. In Washington, D.C., she received the Lead America, Congressional Student Leadership, People to People Ambassadorship, and the National Women’s Mentor awards. Oklahoma State Superintendent Garrett awarded Dr. Turner as Teacher of the Year at the district level and Senator Cal Hobson recommended her for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. She won a fellowship from the National Science Foundation, grants from the Christa McAuliffe Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Other awards include the Dunham Scholarship for Achievement in Modern Languages, the International Library of Poetry Editor’s Choice Award, and the Angus National Service Award. She was also recognized in the NY Times for completing the NYC Marathon.
Dr. Turner was a guest speaker at national conferences including the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education in NYC, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Council of American Society for Engineering Education. She is also the author of A Phenomenological Study, a permanent part of the library collection at OU.
Dr. Turner’s dedication to the teaching profession is known at the state and national level. She credits her family and teachers for her success. She uses the bedrock principles acquired during high school to elevate her students both at OU and at the private and public schools in which she has worked.