Jennifer Dendinger Lights the Way for Klein Oak Students

By Klein ISD Jessica Williams

September 18^th, 2025

When she first started college, becoming a teacher wasn’t in Ms. Jennifer Dendinger’s plans. A Biochemistry pre-med major from Louisiana, she originally imagined a future in medicine before life began pointing her in a different direction.

Her mom was the first to suggest teaching, pointing out how naturally she had stepped into a caregiver role for her much younger siblings.

“From babysitting to helping with homework, I had already been teaching in my own way for years,” Ms. Dendinger said.

That encouragement and realization sent her to the University of New Orleans, where she earned a Master’s degree in Secondary Science Education along with her teaching certification.

Soon after, she returned to her former high school as a student teacher under the mentorship of Ms. Theresa Braud, who would forever shape her approach to teaching.

“Her superpower was building relationships with her kids,” Ms. Dendinger said. “That’s who I try to be as a teacher, too.”

Photos from Ms. Dendinger's time as a student at Northshore High School in Slidell, Louisiana.

Now in her 26th year of teaching and her third year at Klein Oak High School, Ms. Dendinger continues to inspire students with creativity, patience, and a belief in their potential.

“Science happens 24/7, even when you’re not thinking about it,” Ms. Dendinger said. “If students can connect it to their everyday lives, then it sticks.”

Ms. Dendinger’s classroom is as much about empowerment as experiments. She often works with students who find science challenging, using team-building activities and collaboration to help them succeed.

Jennifer Dendinger Lights the Way for Klein Oak Students

“Every child is capable of doing hard things,” Ms. Dendinger said. “My job is to lay the groundwork and be the cheerleader they need.”

Beyond her classroom, she serves on the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) team, sponsors the Culture Connections Club, and helps strengthen campus culture at Klein Oak. But at the heart of her work is one core philosophy: know your students.

“If you can figure out what motivates a student, if you show them respect and believe in them, they’ll rise to the challenge,” Ms. Dendinger said.

Today, Ms. Dendinger has no doubts that she’s exactly where she’s meant to be. Whether she’s flipping pancakes for a conduction lesson, cheering on a science race, or simply encouraging a student to try again, she is committed to helping students see that they are capable of anything.

“It’s about giving them confidence,” Ms. Dendinger said. “Because once they believe in themselves, the sky’s the limit.”

Thank you, Ms. Dendinger, for everything you do for the students and staff at Klein Oak High School. You truly make a difference, and our #KleinFamily is so grateful to have you as part of our community.

Amazing teachers like Ms. Dendinger show why Klein ISD is the #1 Education Employer in Texas on Forbes’ Best-in-State Employers 2025 list. Forbes compiles its annual Best-in-State Employers list through an independent survey of more than 160,000 employees, asking them to rate their employers on working conditions, growth opportunities, compensation, and likelihood of recommendation. Klein ISD placed #33 overall among all employers in the state. The district stands alongside top-ranked organizations such as Google, Chick-fil-A, NASA, and Apple.