Nationwide — Meet Jade Thomas, a Marine veteran turned educator who was recently honored as the Houston County Teacher of the Year. With only 7 years of teaching experience, she has made a significant impact in the classroom.
“I just go really over the top with anything that I do like I just want to do the best that I can,” she told 13WMAZ. “I’m extremely passionate about teaching. So, when you’re extremely passionate, the work just kind of does itself.”
This year, Thomas is set to teach fourth grade at Lake Joy Elementary School. Her subjects will include reading, writing, and social studies.
Her colleague, Trinity Cox, praises Thomas for her positive energy. “She’s got a great personality. When she comes in every morning, with her positive attitude and vibes, it like filters throughout the hallway.”
Before becoming a teacher, Thomas served in the U.S. Marines for 8 years. She finds that the skills she developed in the military have helped her transition smoothly into her teaching role.
“I was serving the United States but now I’m serving students,” she said. “So, it was actually an easier transition than I had imagined with time management and having a positive attitude and just remembering like even on the worst day, it’s not a worse day in the Marine Corps so I always keep that into perspective. I have a great job just changing and influencing the life of students.”
In addition to her teaching, Thomas also co-founded the Military Kids Club at Lake Joy Elementary. This club helps children from military families connect and socialize. Her efforts contributed to Lake Joy Elementary receiving the Military Flagship School Award earlier this year.
“I never did anything to think like ‘oh, I’m going to do this because I’m getting an award,’” Thomas said. “I do it because I truly love this job.”
Thomas, along with other top teachers in the county, will be considered for Georgia’s Teacher of the Year.
Source: BlackNews.com
