MEDIA KIT
Author Photos
Photo credits: Kollmer Photography.
Short Bio
Jessica is an experienced science educator and an award-winning author of books for students and teachers. Her titles include Nature's Rule Breakers: Creatures That Don't Fit In, Notable Notebooks: Scientists and Their Writings, Exemplary Evidence: Scientists and Their Drawings, Science Notebooks in Student-Centered Classrooms, and Wild Wonderings: Scientists and Their Questions. Learn more at her website, www.jessicafriesgaither.com and follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jfriesgaither, on Twitter and Instagram at @JessicaFGWrites, and on Blue Sky at @jessicafgwrites.bsky.social.
Children's Literature-Focused Bio
Jessica Fries-Gaither is an award-winning author of books for children and teachers. Her writing introduces readers to the wonder of the natural world and the work of scientists, past and present. Her debut picture book, Notable Notebooks: Scientists and Their Writings, was named an Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K-12 by NSTA and the Children's Book Council and was read aboard the International Space Station by astronaut Joseph Acaba as part of the Story Time From Space program. Other titles include Exemplary Evidence: Scientists and Their Data (NSTA Kids, Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K-12), Wild Wonderings: Scientists and Their Questions (NSTA Kids), and Nature’s Rule Breakers: Creatures That Don’t Fit In (Milbrook Press, Junior Library Guild Gold selection). Jessica is represented by Tricia Lawrence at Aevitas Creative Management.
Jessica holds bachelor's degrees in Biological Sciences (B.S.) and Anthropology (B.A.) and a Master's in Education (M.Ed.) from the University of Notre Dame (Go Irish!). In addition to writing, she is the Lower School Science Specialist at Columbus School for Girls. She was a 2024-2025 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. and is a current state finalist in the 2024 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. She lives in Columbus, OH with her husband and three lovable but rambunctious dogs. She also enjoys reading, cooking and baking, and spending time outside.
Learn more at her website, www.jessicafriesgaither.com and follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jfriesgaither, on Twitter and Instagram at @JessicaFGWrites, and on Blue Sky at @jessicafgwrites.bsky.social.
Science Education-Focused Bio
Jessica is an experienced science educator and an award-winning author of books for students and teachers. Her 20+ year teaching career spans elementary school through middle school science and math, three states, and Catholic, public, and independent schools. Additionally, she spent five years in the College of Education and Human Ecology, School of Teaching and Learning at The Ohio State University where she directed NSF-funded projects and provided professional development for elementary and middle school teachers. She was a 2024-2025 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. and is a current state finalist in the 2024 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. She is the Lower School Science Specialist at the Columbus School for Girls in Columbus, OH.
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Jessica has published several books with the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) Press, is a reviewer for NSTA's elementary journal, Science and Children, and has served on several NSTA advisory boards. She presents at local, regional, and national conferences and has taught preservice elementary science and social studies methods in Notre Dame's Alliance for Catholic Education program.
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In addition to writing for science teachers, Jessica writes for children as well. She is represented by Tricia Lawrence at Aevitas Creative Management. Learn more at her website, www.jessicafriesgaither.com and follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jfriesgaither, on Twitter and Instagram at @JessicaFGWrites, and Blue Sky at @jessicafgwrites.bsky.social.
Jessica and her husband live in Columbus, OH with their three dogs. She also enjoys reading, cooking and baking, and spending time outside.