JMCSS faculty meet for back-to-school address

JACKSON, Tenn. — Jackson-Madison County teachers and staff gathered Wednesday for an address on their first day back to school.

“It’s important that at least everyone can get together, hear one message and get on the same page as best as possible,” Jackson-Madison County School System Interim Superintendent Ray Washington said.

Around 2,000 teachers and staff in Jackson-Madison County Schools met Wednesday at Oman Arena to hear from different school board members and Mayor Scott Conger on the upcoming school year.

Speakers discussed the school system’s priorities.

“We’re continuing to implement our curriculum in our schools,” JMCSS Chief Academic Officer Dr. Jared Myracle said. “We’re continuing to coach teachers on strategies that are more effective for them and their students.”

They also motivated staff to get them ready for back to school.

“It’s always easy to motivate at the beginning, at the start,” Washington said. “We try to keep things positive throughout the school year because, if anything, you do it for 10 months, and you have your highs and lows.”

School officials say they want to stay consistent as a leadership team and continue with the plan that’s led to positive changes in the school system over the last couple of years.

They reminded faculty of that progress.

“During the 2017-18 school year, the previous school year, we increased achievement in the majority of areas,” Dr. Myracle said. “We doubled the number of schools that met or exceeded their academic growth expectations.”

Students in Jackson-Madison County Schools start back on August 5.