Although Jaila Jones had always wanted to work with children, she didn’t know where that interest would eventually take her. Initially, Jones thought about working in the field of children’s health. However, when a college roommate shared information about TeachNOLA with Jones, her interest was piqued.
TeachNOLA is a teacher preparation program that offers certification in a wide range of subjects and grade levels. Jones filled out the application and, after being accepted into the program, all the pieces started to fall into place.
“My life changed quickly,” Jones said. “ I became a teacher in August 2021, and it was the best decision I’ve made for myself.”
Four years later, it is not only the teaching of academic subject matter that is so rewarding to Jones, it’s also the growth and development that she sees in her students.
“[I’m] seeing them grow constantly – in every way – throughout the school year,” she added. “Giving them support and building their confidence to succeed and learn, those are some of my top priorities. I am a teacher that holds high standards for seven and eight year olds, but I also let them know that ‘You can do it’, and that I love and care about them. If teachers love on their students, they’ll love you right back.”
Jones has made an impact teaching second grade at Mildred Osborne Charter School, and it’s clear she’s going to continue positively impacting her students.
“After four years in the classroom, I know the curriculum very well, so I want to see kids grow,” Jones noted. “That’s one of my big goals this year – to see them succeed.”
Jones wants to see students improve in terms of performance and test scores, but she also wants to see change in their mindset towards education.
“I want my students to know that education is important, and I want them to take it seriously and not just in the four walls of the classroom. They have to continue learning even after they leave school.”
That’s what it comes down to for Jones. She wants to shift how her students think about education, see their confidence grow throughout the year, and prepare them to become lifelong learners.
