Jennifer Halter

Dr. Jen Halter is a nationally recognized school leader, leadership coach, and advocate for public education who currently serves as Principal of Clay High School. A passionate and results-driven educator, she was named Clay County Principal of the Year and Florida Principal of the Year in 2021 and was selected as an AASA Women in Leadership Award Semi-Finalist in 2025—honors that reflect both her impact and her influence beyond her school community.

Now in her twenty-first year in education, Dr. Halter began her career teaching eighth-grade English before being promoted to Assistant Principal at Green Cove Springs Junior High. Just two years later, she became Principal, a role she held for six years. Under her leadership, the school experienced transformational growth—raising its school grade from a 64% to a 70% A, earning designation as a School of Excellence, a Best and Brightest School, and achieving PBIS Gold status. These outcomes were driven by her relentless focus on culture, instructional leadership, and systems that support both students and educators.

In 2021, Dr. Halter was appointed Principal of Clay High School, where she is now in her fifth year of leadership. During her tenure, she has worked alongside her team to significantly improve student achievement in reading, math, science, and industry certifications while intentionally closing achievement gaps across all subgroups. In 2023, Clay High achieved the highest reading learning gains and lower-quartile learning gains in the school’s history, and in 2024, the school earned an A school grade for the first time since 2015—a milestone reflecting sustained, system-wide improvement.

Beyond her school, Dr. Halter serves as a trusted voice for secondary principals at both the state and national levels through her leadership with the Florida Association of School Administrators and the National Association of Secondary School Administrators, where she advocates for strong public schools, effective leadership, and student-centered policy. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of North Florida and leads professional learning across Florida on leadership development, high-impact practices, and crucial conversations. She also serves as a leadership coach with Connected Leadership Partners and is a certified DISC Consultant as a John Maxwell Team Member.

Dr. Halter is a proud member of Leadership Florida Education Class 6, a graduate of Leadership Clay, a member of AASA, and serves on the University of North Florida’s Teaching and Learning Board. Known for her authentic leadership style, strategic clarity, and commitment to people, Dr. Halter’s work centers on helping leaders grow themselves, strengthen their teams, and create schools where students, educators, and families thrive.