Cleveland Elementary Intervention Specialist Lauren Jackson builds bonds to keep students thriving.
Jackson works with students in any grade who need intensive academic interventions. She works with them one-on-one or in small groups, meeting several times a week to get them back on track. The partnership can last over multiple school years if needed.
Working with the student’s family and other teachers, Jackson helps craft a plan for what they need. The plans are specific and tailor-made to help them progress in their academic career.
Jackson loves the opportunity to team up towards success.
“I’m building multi-year-long relationships with students and their families, and I feel like that just makes it a bigger bond,” she said.
She is helping students build a foundation for lifelong success. Their elementary school plan follows them to middle school so future teachers can help make sure they stay on track. It isn’t easy saying goodbye to kids she’s worked with for a long time, but there is also great pride in it.
“It can be sad, but it’s amazing when they’ve made such great progress that we can celebrate that and move them back to where they’re supposed to be.”
Jackson came up through Fayette County Public Schools, even attending Cleveland Elementary for a time. From an early age, she was destined for the classroom.
“I’ve always known that I wanted to work in education. I was one of those kids who asked for school desks for Christmas.”
She was inspired from an early age by teachers who connected with her, both as a student as a human.
“I had lots of teachers growing up that made me feel special and made me feel like I was more than just a grade,” she said. “They built relationships with me, and that made me want to work with other people and help other people.”
After being a 2nd grade teacher and a 4th grade teacher, she moved into the intervention program.
“I found myself drawn to the students who did need a little extra support,” she said. “Every student has certain needs. I just feel like sometimes the ones that needed extra support also needed a personal relationship, a bond built before you can move on. I was always drawn to the kids that needed that.”
Her reason for what she does is simple.
“My students. They’re very special to me,” she said. “I want to be someone who is a positive impact on my students. I want to be the safe space for them. I want to be the person they can go to if something is wrong or if they need something. I just want to make sure they know they’re cared for.”
“The Honor Role,” an official podcast for Fayette County Public Schools, features employees, rotating through key stakeholders, including teachers, staff, nurses, custodians, cafeteria workers, and bus drivers. Join us as we dive in and learn about their journeys, their inspirations, and their whys.
Episodes are available on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and promoted on the social media channels of Fayette County Public Schools.
Episodes will also be available here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2200811.
