Heather Jackson wins Teacher of the Year at Natchez Freshman Academy

Heather Jackson wins Teacher of the Year at Natchez Freshman Academy

Another Alcorn State University graduate has received honors for their outstanding commitment to educating today’s youth.

Heather Jackson, a Fayette, Mississippi native, was named the 2016-2017 Teacher of the Year for her dedication to students at the Natchez Freshman Academy in Adams County. Jackson, who earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 2011 and a master’s degree in secondary education with a concentration in school counseling in 2016, teaches English at the Academy.

Earning the award was a pleasant surprise to Jackson.

“I feel honored,” said Jackson. “To have been selected among such an elite pool of educators is very humbling. I never expected to receive any type of recognition for the job that I have been called to do. My goal has always been and will continue to be to provide my students with the best education possible.”

The award is one that Jackson will always cherish. It assures her of her impact, and it also makes her realize the positive impact that her peers and students has had on her.

“Knowing that I’m having a positive impact is a very rewarding feeling. It reassures me that I am in the right place. The Natchez Freshman Academy has also had a positive impact on me. The administrators and teachers are very helpful and supportive, and I was welcomed there with open arms.”

For Jackson, teaching is more than just an occupation; it’s something that she loves with a passion.

“Teaching is my passion and my calling. I love what I do and I cannot imagine having another job. Each time that I am able to have a positive impact on a student’s educational journey, my heart is filled with joy.”