Teacher Feature: Jessica Jernegan
Thursday, November 15, 2018
Jessica Jernegan graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. A 10-year teaching veteran, Jernegan currently teaches fifth-grade language arts at Bixby North Intermediate School in Bixby, Oklahoma.
Why did you go into the teaching field? What do you love most about it?
I’ve wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. I’ve had many teachers
along the way who have fostered my love of learning and taught me about the kind of
teacher I wanted to be. I feel incredibly lucky to make an impact on a new group of
students each year. You may not always see immediate results of your efforts, but
when you do, it’s an instant reminder of why you went into the teaching profession.
Those moments also remind me why I stay.
Tell us about your experience as an education student at OSU?
Professors and advisers at OSU instilled in me the importance of giving my best each
and every day. That idea has stuck with me throughout my career and reminds me that
educators deserve respect. It also empowers me to set high expectations for my students.
Oklahoma State taught me what a professional teacher does every day and what to expect
of myself and my students. I was given the tools I needed to implement those expectations
in an effective way that meets everyone’s needs.
What do you tell someone who is considering teaching as a profession?
It’s about making a difference, and you will make a difference! While this career
may not be the most financially lucrative and it is certainly filled with challenges,
you will make an impact that far surpasses your lifetime. It’s hard to be a teacher;
do it anyway! Follow your heart, and when that first former student comes back to
thank you for the impact you made on their life, you will be so glad you chose this
path.
What’s your biggest takeaway after 10 years of teaching?
Fair isn’t always equal. I remember this being a topic of discussion often in education
classes. I have kept this in the back of my mind since my first day in the classroom.
It’s not about everyone getting the same thing. We can’t put kids, or teachers, in
boxes. It’s about everyone getting what they need. The concept of individualization
is something I believe OSU does a great job of instilling in education students. Not
only did we learn the tools to individualize, but we also learned the “why” behind
it.
You were named the Bixby Teacher of the Year for 2014-15. What was your reaction to
that experience?
Being chosen by colleagues who have mentored, encouraged and supported me to be the
teacher I am today was extremely humbling. I’m convinced I work alongside the best
teachers in the state, many of whom are OSU graduates, and the fact that they chose
me to represent them was one of the proudest moments of my life.
What do you think is most important to share with others about what you do?
It’s all about respect. Respect us as professionals. Respect our students by adequately
funding their classrooms. Teachers are profoundly invested in the health of our public
schools and the future of the students we serve.
MEDIA CONTACT: Rachel Eng |405-744-8320 |rachel.eng@okstate.edu