2021 Extraordinary Educators: Janita Jackson

Great communities have great schools. High Point Schools Partnership creates impactful connections between our schools and the wider community to ensure students and their families are supported and can reach their full potential in High Point schools.

Part of High Point Schools Partnerships’ mission is to improve the image of our schools through storytelling. Who better to tell the stories of High Point’s schools than the people experiencing it first-hand? In this series of eight articles, we will highlight our 2021 High Point Extraordinary Educators as we dive deeper into what keeps them motivated in the face of constant challenges.

Janita Jackson

Janita Jackson has been the media specialist at Triangle Lake Montessori for five years. Prior to working as a media specialist, she worked as an English Language Arts teacher. She loves helping both younger students and staff, and her position “gives her the opportunity to do that.”

Pamela Ford, the principal at Triangle Lake Montessori, says Ms. Jackson is “a true leader in the school this past year as technology was a huge focus.”

Ford was “impressed with how Ms. Jackson took charge of facilitating and guiding the staff and stakeholders as we transitioned to being one-to-one with technology during remote learning and in-person learning. She is known at our school as the ‘Technology Guru’ and the ‘Book Ninja!’”

Q: What inspired you to become an educator?

A: I was originally an English Language Arts teacher and I was inspired to become one by the many wonderful educators I encountered throughout my own education. Because I wanted to focus more on literacy, technology, and instill a genuine joy of reading great literature, I decided to switch avenues and become a librarian.

Q: What’s your teaching/leadership style?

A: Staying positive and straightforward, helpful while at the same time teaching others how to do whatever they need themselves.

Q: Do you have a classroom motto or philosophy you abide by? Why?

A: As a leader in my school and my library, I strive to inspire and teach the students, staff, administration, and stakeholders. I aim to create an atmosphere of support, collaboration, and accommodation within the school community. Most importantly, I believe that through character traits such as kindness and compassion, I can maintain continuous personal growth and make a lasting impact on everyone I encounter. For the kids it is: The Library is the place to “BEE”! Bee Kind, Bee Honest, Bee Safe!

Q: What’s your favorite part about every day?

A: The best part of the day is when the students, in all grades, come to visit the library. They love this place! I wish I could bottle their enthusiasm and joy at seeing the books and/or me. It’s infectious. I love waving at them, hearing them say “Hey Ms. Jackson,” and prior to COVID, giving out hugs to a hundred kids a day.

Q: What’s your most memorable moment as an educator?

A: It’s the little things. Being nominated as an extraordinary educator is one, but others include (but are not limited to) tying shoes, helping a child find a favorite or new book, solving a technology problem for a teacher, being a leader on the School Based Leadership Team, advocating for my library, graduating with my master’s degree. These moments are all memorable to me!

If Ms. Jackson could tell her students anything, she would say “I love you, always make time to read.”

If she could tell students’ parents anything, she would encourage them to “read to your children and encourage them to be responsible with their books and technology.”

Thank you so much to Janita Jackson for your dedication to High Point’s students. Congratulations on being selected as your school’s 2021 Extraordinary Educator!

To find out more about High Point Schools Partnership and our work, please visit our Facebook page and check out our page on Guilford Education Alliance’s website.

Article written by High Point Schools Partnership Staff