Thomas Named TOTY for QES
Dr. Cisco Diaz, principal at Quitman Elementary School, recently announced Ms. Jennifer Thomas had been selected as the Teacher of the Year for Quitman Elementary School. Ms. Thomas is a 3rd grade teacher and has been teaching for thirteen years. Four of those years have been for Brooks County Schools. A graduate of Brewton Parker College with a Bachelor’s Degree, Ms. Thomas also holds a Master’s degree and Education Specialist degree from Walden University. When asked what is the most rewarding aspect of teaching, Thomas stated, “For me, it is the daily “aha” moments that I get to witness that are the most rewarding. To be able to see students finally make a breakthrough and understand something they've been struggling with makes it all worthwhile.” Dr. Diaz said, “ Mrs. Jennifer Thomas is a teacher who believes all of her children can succeed. She not only has high expectations for her students academically, she nurtures their social and emotional needs as well. All of her interactions with her students are meaningful, leaving a lasting impression with her kids.”
Mrs. Thomas strives to balance the different learning needs of her students. She said, “Every student who walks through my door is different with different needs and as a teacher you have to be able to adapt in order to be what that student needs at that time.” Her own experience with a teacher who impacted her life at an early age fueled the desire to become a teacher. Remembering back to when she was just eight years old, Thomas said, That year I was scared to death because I was in a new school with a lot of new people. I had one of the most passionate and dedicated teachers I've ever met, Mrs. Charlene Robinson, who later became Dr. Charlene Robinson. Her dedication and selflessness for her students was unwavering. She instilled a passion in me to be just like her and I knew that if I could be a tenth of what she was that I would be successful.”
In her spare time, Mrs. Thomas enjoys spending time with family and friends, shopping, going to the beach and loving on all of her animals. Mrs. Thomas will represent Quitman Elementary School for the 2021-2022 school year as Teacher of the Year and will compete at the district level for the title of Brooks County Schools Teacher of the Year. The BCS Teacher of the Year will be named at the Teacher of the Year banquet hosted in the fall. Pictured is Mrs. Thomas is Principal Cisco Diaz.