Jennifer McGonigle-Collins is more than “just a teacher” at South Plantation High School. Over her 31-year career, she has become a vital part of the Plantation community, earning the title of Plantation’s 2024 Pioneer by the Plantation Historical Society. This honor recognizes her lifelong dedication to her hometown.
“I believe my living in the City of Plantation and the schools I attended helped me establish deep roots in the community,” Collins said. “The schools I attended played a significant role in shaping my educational and personal development.”
Collins’s commitment to service extends well beyond the classroom. She was named the Kiwanis Club’s 2024 Volunteer of the Year and founded the South Plantation Key Club 24 years ago. Sponsored by Kiwanis, the club focuses on community service projects. Michael Taussig, president of the Plantation Historical Society, praised her work with her parents, Jim and Jacki McGonigle, on their internationally renowned Winter Wonderland display. “The home has received international attention for many years as it raises funds for other community work,” Taussig said. The display was even featured on ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight.
Collins’s deep connection to Plantation began with her education. After attending Plantation Park Elementary and Seminole Middle, she graduated from South Plantation High, where she excelled in American Sign Language (ASL). South Plantation was the first Broward County school to offer ASL, which eventually became an approved “foreign language” for college acceptance. Collins pursued a teaching degree with an ASL focus at the University of South Florida. Today, she teaches ASL, Student Government (SGA), and Yearbook classes. “My teaching style is ‘immersive,’ and I have to be all in and connected to my students,” she said. “I’m not into lecturing or assigning bookwork.”
Collins’s influence as a teacher is undeniable. She was named South Plantation’s Teacher of the Year in 2005, 2009, and 2015, and was a finalist for Broward County’s Teacher of the Year in 2009. Her SGA students have won Florida’s SGA Gold Award for 22 consecutive years, and they organize key events like the Paladin Round-Up for incoming students, Homecoming Week, and senior proms.
Her commitment to civic engagement is a hallmark of her career. As SGA advisor, Collins has guided her students in initiatives like Honor Flight South Florida, welcoming veterans returning from Washington, D.C. She also oversees an annual appreciation event for Plantation’s first responders. “The event helps first responders realize there are people who care about them and support them,” said Johanz Marin, South Plantation’s resource officer.
Collins’s impact extends into the broader community. She frequently attends City Council meetings with her students, ensuring their voices contribute to local recognitions and celebrations. Plantation Mayor Nick Sortal acknowledged her contributions, saying, “There are so many ways she has made our community better.”
Her energy and dedication go far beyond academics. Collins coaches both the boys’ and girls’ bowling teams, advises the yearbook staff, and has served as a faculty sponsor for various graduating classes and clubs. “I am able to balance my busy schedule with the assistance and understanding of my family,” she said. “Their unwavering support is what makes it work.” Her husband Mike, a former coach and athletic director, and her children are also proud Paladins.
Collins’s innovative work in ASL has created new opportunities for inclusion. She founded the Sign of the Knights club, which integrates Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students into school and community events. For example, during her family’s Winter Wonderland display, a “Signing Santa” communicates with DHH children to ensure their holiday wishes are “heard.” Jeff West, a former student and current DHH teacher who plays the Signing Santa, explained, “Deaf students often experience isolation around the holidays as most are born to hearing parents with little or no sign language access in their homes.”
Her influence also extends to the arts. South Plantation’s drama productions include ASL, with Deaf and hearing students collaborating. Productions like The Miracle Worker, Peter Pan, and West Side Story have received local and national attention, including features on ABC.
Jennifer McGonigle-Collins’s contributions as an educator, volunteer, and advocate have enriched the lives of countless students and residents. Her work exemplifies the spirit of a true Pioneer, leaving a legacy of service and community engagement that will last for generations.
