Jessica Thrasher

Wayne County
Wayne County High School

I always dreamed of being a teacher. My favorite teachers inspired me. When I was in second grade, my teacher, Ms. Jackie, was cleaning out a locker and let aspiring teachers pick out old teacher manuals. I chose a thick, spiral-bound book about a dog named Tip and I began my teaching journey with 10 little children on my back porch classroom.

I teach because I want to empower children to dream big dreams and overcome obstacles in their lives. I teach for the excitement of accomplishment in the heart of a child. I teach to see letters and sounds turn into words and stories. I teach because I want to provide a safe and nurturing place for my students to call home 8 hours a day. As an elementary teacher, the highlight of my summer days was visiting a parent-teacher store with my “teacher friends” and deciding on my classroom theme for the year. Now, as a Gear Up Academic Interventionist and an Educators Rising Teacher Leader, I mentor and encourage my high school students to choose a career that makes them as happy and fulfilled as teaching has made me. My career has come full circle, and I’m still going strong. I continue to grow and learn every day, as I am working on my National Board Certification.