Jones Special Education Teacher, Mrs. Jennifer Sparks, has been selected by her campus faculty as the Jones Elementary Teacher of the Year for the 2022-2023 school year. She will be honored at the Tyler ISD Teacher of the Year Banquet in April, along with the nominees from other Tyler ISD campuses. Mrs. Sparks was honored to be nominated, among so many other deserving Jones Jaguar teachers. "Teaching is a true passion of mine. I have always found joy in lifting others up and being able to help students," commented Mrs. Sparks. "I am so grateful to have found Jones Elementary as my campus here in Texas and I could not ask for a better place to continue my career. "
Following is a biography of Mrs. Sparks story on her time as an educator:
"They say that education is not a competition, but a doorway. I truly believe this statement. This year is my 9th year teaching and I have not only watched students grow throughout the years, but I have seen growth within myself as well.
I started my career in Mississippi teaching General Education classes. This included 2 years of English, Language Arts and Social Studies in 3rd and 4th grade. I then moved into Special Education where I taught for 3 years and really found my niche. In 2019, I moved to Texas where I began working in Tyler ISD. I have now completed all 4 years here at Jones Elementary teaching Special Education and our AVID elective class.
While working in Special Education, I have learned so much and really found my joy. My philosophy of teaching begins with the students in mind. I believe that every child can learn and that it is our job as educators to teach to all student’s needs. If education is truly a doorway, it is our responsibility to get them through the door and onto the next phases of life. Children come to us with their own individual experiences and knowledge. We must learn to utilize this information in a way that best benefits each student. To do this, I believe that classroom management is always important. Students need to feel safe in order to focus on their learning. A child that is in a constant fight or flight mode will never be able to focus on the skills needed to be successful. However, as teachers, if we consistently provide a safe and inviting learning environment, then our students can begin to learn and grow using the skills that are being taught.
I plan to continue to support our campus and students by helping to create a safe and inviting environment. I plan to do this by working with my colleagues and collaborating to implement best practices. I also plan to continue to support my GenEd staff by providing strategies that will help ensure all students are able to be successful in class. Above all I will focus on being the best teacher I can be in order to help my students grow both academically and socially.
In past years, I have volunteered at my school to work with local churches in order to fund food backpacks for those in need. Since being here at Jones I have served on several committees including: AVID, OHI, LIM, The Literacy Team, and the Safety and Security Team. These are all Teams and Committees that I feel have helped shape me as a teacher and I will continue to serve my campus in the future. "
Congratulations, Mrs. Sparks! We are proud to have you representing Jones Elementary School. This honor is well deserved!