JMCSS meets for monthly board meeting, honors Teacher of the Year

JACKSON, Tenn. — Leaders with the Jackson-Madison County School System gathered for their monthly meeting to reflect on the year.

In addition, the board also wanted to acknowledge their Teachers of the Year.

“As we conclude 2020, and I think we all are ready for 2020 to get out of the way, right,” said Superintendent Dr. Marlon King.

Thursday evening, the JMCSS met for their last monthly meeting of the year. Although the annual Teachers of the Year awards were canceled in the spring, the board wanted to still honor those awarded.

“They finished the year in March. Under unprecedented situation, they were able to make sure students continued to learn and they stepped up and did a great job,” board member Dr. Vivian Williams said.

Williams says teachers awarded this honor share a number of characteristics.

“They are very patient, they love, they are innovative and creative, and they utilize all those skills to ensure that children are learning,” Williams said.

Third grade teacher Tiffany Newbill was one of the many teachers awarded.

“It’s a blessing and I thank God for our students, and without them we would not be here at our school so it has been a challenge, but we’ve been enduring also,” Newbill said.

Newbill says the biggest challenge she faced was with was making sure assignments were reached by every student.

“We want to make sure that they get the same things the in-person students receive,” Newbill said.

To close the year, King says the board must remind themselves they initiated a new normal with three parts: re-entry, recover, and re-imagine.

He says they have a new vision, and are ready to push out the board approved mission and the goal statements. King says they are excited to move forward, but he thinks it is important to move in line with health officials.

“As we see data not only locally, but regionally as well as the state, I think we will be able to have a more thoughtful and deliberate decision about moving forward,” King said.

The board is currently at 100 percent, making sure every student has a teacher in the classroom, but wants to continue to recruit educators to come to the Jackson-Madison County district.