Desert Wind Middle School
Maricopa, AZ
Andrea Jenkins began her involvement in civics and law-related education in high school, where she participated in Mock Trial for three years as part of her homeschool team. During her senior year, the team won first place in El Paso, Texas, and advanced to the state tournament in Dallas, Texas where they ranked among the top 5 teams. This experience ignited her passion for law and civil education and inspired her to bring similar opportunities to her students.
After some time, she returned to teaching mock trials during after-school activities and took a team to compete in the Pinal County Mock Trial program. During the 2024 year, in her drama class, she had the opportunity to introduce students to the Kids Voting Arizona and Mock Trial programs. The year also marked her first time introducing students from her drama classes to the Arizona Mock Mediation program, an area in which she has had a great learning experience thanks to the programs and trainings provided through the Arizona Bar Foundation. At Desert Wind Middle School, she has enjoyed guiding students through these activities, helping them develop courtroom etiquette, conflict resolution, critical thinking, and teamwork skills. Through these programs, students deepen their understanding of the law and are empowered to engage in productive discussions and resolve conflicts constructively.
With personal experience from high school Mock Trial and a renewed commitment to educating young people in law, Andrea continues to create an engaging learning environment. She is excited to help students develop leadership skills, gain a deeper understanding of the justice system, think for themselves, and become informed and engaged citizens.