What qualities do your favorite teachers have? Are they patient with their students? Do they create a safe, loving classroom environment for their students? 

   By definition, a teacher is a person who teaches, most likely in school. However, impactful teachers are much more than that. Excellent teachers impact their students beyond the boundaries of their classroom which often causes them to build a greater relationship with their students. 

   Jillian Jackson was selected as Blackman High School’s Teacher of the Year for the 2023-2024 school year in just her fifth year at Blackman. She is the definition of an excellent teacher. 

    When asked what her favorite part of teaching was Jackson stated, “Definitely the relationships built with the students.” 

   Jackson is a reading interventionist and teaches Introduction to Critical Thinking and Bible. This year Jackson added Capstone to her course load.  

   Capstone is overwhelming to both the senior Blackman Collegiate Academy (BCA) students and the facilitators. Capstone facilitators have a lot on their plates during the fall semester every year, their time and effort often being overlooked since they are behind the scenes. However, each of them deserves some recognition because they are behind an estimated fifteen to twenty Capstones each year. 

   “I had the best kids… I really enjoyed working with the group of students I do not typically get to work with. Normally, my role has been working with intervention students, so I am working with students that do not have the support that Capstone students do… But then I learned that they had different sets of stressors and problems. I enjoy working with both groups. I enjoyed watching [my Capstone students] work through things, get ideas and try them and pivot. I just enjoyed the grit and perseverance, and I enjoyed watching them get through it knowing they were all together. I enjoyed them wanting to do well,” said Jackson, “I enjoyed learning about the process and how Capstone worked. I enjoyed working with Mrs. Baumann, Mr. Wortman and Mr. Shambaugh as well.” 

   Her fellow Capstone facilitators applaud Jackson for her dedication to all of her students amid taking on the time-consuming task that is Capstone. 

   “Mrs. Jackson gives each student feedback and reflects on what can help them learn deeper and truly cares about each student as a person, not just a student. She also works with some students who struggle in school, to help them succeed, so they can go beyond high school and have success in their lives,” stated Kimberly Baumann, Capstone facilitator and chemistry teacher. 

   With it being her first go-around with Capstone, it is anticipated that Jackson would be more overwhelmed than the returning facilitators. Yet, that only put her in the same position as her students, and her students found her more relatable. 

   “I think she did very well,” said Brendyn White, senior. “She was very attentive to us while still giving us the independence of navigating our own work. [She also] acknowledged our stressful times and tried to provide a calming environment. She constantly remined us that she was in this with us-as she was learning the ins and outs of being a facilitator- and that provided a lot of comfort for me.” 

   Not only will Jackson be surrounded by Teacher of the Year winners when she is recognized as Blackman High School’s Teacher of the Year on Tuesday, Apr. 30, 2024, at the Rutherford County Teacher of the Year Reception, but she comes from a family of recipients. Her mother, father and husband have previously been named Teacher of the Year as well.