Elizabeth Jackson was nominated anonymously.
Ms. Jackson is the teacher every parent hopes for their children to have. She builds positive relationships with her students. She really takes the time to get to know each of her students. Ms. Jackson inspires her students, which causes them to have a huge passion for music. She gives her students the confidence to master the instrument they are learning.
"When my daughter comes home, telling us about band is always on the top of the list. She always says, 'Ms. Jackson taught us this today.' She always wants to show us what Ms. Jackson taught her the minute she gets home," said her nominator.
Ms. Jackson works very hard to obtain the materials and instruments she needs to have a successful band program. She stays after school two days a week so students can receive lessons. She not only works with the middle school band, but the high school band, as well. Ms. Jackson is a very dedicated teacher!
Ms. Jackson's passion for teaching band, and for playing her clarinet (if you haven't heard her, you're missing out) are rooted in her band experience in middle school!
I remember her first year at OSMS straight out of graduate school. While her confidence and technique have - understandably - matured a bit, so has her passion. She's fun. She's kind. She's supportive. She's direct. She listens. When she takes the podium, she knows that behind each mouthpiece, each reed, or each percussion instrument, there is a person first..
Please do all you can to support the Ocean Springs band program. If you can't donate, volunteer. If you can't volunteer, recruit!
My sons are all graduates of the OS band program. One is student teaching band this semester. Another is on track to earn his Master's degree in a music-related field this Spring. They wouldn't be thriving like they are if they didn't have solid roots and a teacher who inspired that passion when they first picked up their instrument. Please do all you can to support the Ocean Springs band program. If you can't donate, volunteer. If you can't volunteer, recruit!
Side note to those who award the $$$. I'm certain there are very worthy candidates who teach other subjects, but think about how much music plays in your day to day life. THIS is where that music ultimately comes from.
Thanks!
Elizabeth Jackson is the teacher we hope we as educators become. I have watched her in class many times. She is always ready, takes care of class rituals and gets down to business! She engages her students and is very attentive. She always is prepared but ready to”punt” when things go astray. Her discipline methods are fair and above board. Most of her class control is simply a word or a look! Ms Jackson is also active in her community and an amazing musician in her own right.
Ms Jackson is the absolute best!! We are so lucky to have her as a teacher and band director. She has guided all three of my kids through their early band years and nurtured them as young musicians and as unique individuals. She is a dedicated, creative, and compassionate teacher that cares so much for her students. Our children and band program are in great hands with Ms Jackson!! This is a well deserved honor.
We can't even express how much of an impact Ms. Elizabeth Jackson has made on our kids. We have one attending college on a full scholarship because of the foundation that Ms. Jackson helped build. Another learned that even Autistic kids are welcome to join the band...even if there needs to be some accommodations. The youngest is just starting with Ms Jackson, but she calls her "Band Mom."
We are so thankful for you, Ms. Jackson! Congratulations!
Ms. Jackson is an extremely talented musician and an equally talented educator. She is amazing with her students and is extremely successful in sparking an interest and an excitement for music in them that will continue forever.
Ms Jackson has a super hero ability to motivate, educate and support all of her music students. Band directors are a different breed. They teach kids to read a new language, how to use math to read music. They teach culture and even history through songs choices. Ms Jackson makes all of this seem easy. She provides a safe and nurturing environment where students feel they have a place that they belong and give them something they can be proud to be a part of. Parents can see her excitement for teaching and students can feel her love for teaching them. Always pushing them to reach goals, always encouraging them to try everything. She is the highlight of my daughter’s day. Teaching is her calling. We love Ms Jackson!
Ms. Jackson is the kind of teacher that you remember for the rest of your life. The first time I had Ms. Jackson as a teacher, I was in the 7th grade, I have now graduated from college. As I look back and remember my time in her band hall, I remember her not only fostering a love for music but also creating an environment that fostered a love for each other. Her classroom always served as a safe space from the craziness that is middle school. She made it a priority to really know all of her students. Throughout the years I spent in Ocean Springs Band Program, she would always stop me when she saw me and ask how I was doing. Even after graduation, she continued to support my journey along with so many others. Ms. Jackson is a once in a lifetime kind of teacher!
