Jessica Brown
Sheridan’s gifted and talented facilitator earns top award
Learning has never stopped for teacher Jessica Brown. The gifted and talented expert said she loves learning and always seeks to discover new things. Brown, the GT facilitator for the Sheridan School District’s East End campuses, received one of four awards presented at the 38th annual conference of Arkansas for Gifted and Talented Education.
Sheridan Superintendent Jerrod Williams said in a news release that it’s always nice to see teachers recognized for their achievements.
“I am so proud of Mrs. Brown and the amazing impact she has made for her students in East End. We are fortunate to have her in our district,” Williams said.
Brown said she has always enjoyed teaching and helping others.
“While in school [in El Dorado], I really connected with my teachers and valued their interaction and impact on me,” she said. “I hope to do that in my classroom with my students.”
A great support system helped guide her along the way, instilling in her confidence and a strong work ethic, she said.
“My parents have always instilled in me that I can do anything and to always be dedicated to any job that I do. When I decided to seek a second master’s degree, my parents and my husband, Rhine, were supportive in my decision and the dedication it took to complete the coursework.”
Various teachers have also inspired Brown along the way. She remembers her fifth- and sixth-grade teacher, Beth (Jones) Sullivan, who was a significant influence on Brown’s decision to become a teacher.
“I saw how she loved her profession and always ensured that I had full ownership in my lessons and projects in school. She was one of the first teachers in my educational career who actually allowed me to make choices in what I wanted to learn about. I believe this experience has impacted my teaching style today.”
Brown earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in art education and two master’s degrees in education from Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia — one in college student affairs and the other in gifted and talented education.
As a gifted and talented facilitator, Brown said she is responsible for servicing the school district’s East End Elementary and East End Intermediate schools.
“I work to challenge our students to become problem-solvers and use higher thinking skills,” she said.
She said she is honored to have received the AGATE Educator award and considers herself lucky to have a GT coordinator who is supportive in her endeavors.
“I’m also fortunate to work for a district that is constantly encouraging me to strive to do my best in my career,” she said. “I was grateful to Mr. Roy Wilson, my gifted and talented coordinator, as well as Mr. Bill Shelly, [gifted education specialist for the] Arkansas River Education Service Cooperative [in Pine Bluff] for arranging the presentation of the award to be a surprise. I was also honored to have our superintendent, as well as my husband, attending.”
Shelly, who nominated Brown for the award, cited her achievement of infusing technology into her gifted and talented classes at East End Intermediate School.
Every day, Brown said, she is motivated by her students. Seeing their growth and progress makes her job worth it, she noted.
“I love hearing them relate what we are doing in our classroom to their other classes, as well as interests they have in their lives outside of the school setting,” she said. “I also enjoy working with the teachers and staff at East End Intermediate and East End Elementary. Their support in my students’ work is outstanding and extremely meaningful to the students.”
Future goals for the GT program at Sheridan include continuing to seek ways to challenge students and help them become 21st-century problem-solvers, Brown said.