Jade Thomas, with only 7 years of teaching experience, was recently honored as the Houston County Teacher of the Year for her significant impact in the classroom.
She spent 8 years in the United States Marine Corps before beginning her teaching career, where she learned skills that have helped her move smoothly into her work as an educator.
The honoree told 13WMAZ, “I was serving the United States but now I’m serving students. So, it was actually an easier transition than I had imagined with time management and having a positive attitude and just remembering like even on the worst day, it’s not a worse day in the Marine Corps so I always keep that into perspective. I have a great job just changing and influencing the life of students.”
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This year, Thomas is set to teach fourth grade at Lake Joy Elementary School in subjects including reading, writing, and social studies.
She remarked “I just go really over the top with anything that I do like I just want to do the best that I can. I’m extremely passionate about teaching. So, when you’re extremely passionate, the work just kind of does itself.”
Her colleague, Trinity Cox, who acknowledged Thomas’ passion, stated, “She’s got a great personality. When she comes in every morning, with her positive attitude and vibes, it like filters throughout the hallway.”
In addition to her teaching duties, Thomas co-founded the Military Kids Club at Lake Joy Elementary, which aims to help children from military families network and socialize. Her initiatives were instrumental in Lake Joy Elementary earning the Military Flagship School Award earlier this year.
Thomas joins the list of other top teachers in the county who will be considered for Georgia’s Teacher of the Year.
“I never did anything to think like ‘oh, I’m going to do this because I’m getting an award. I do it because I truly love this job,” Thomas emphasized.
