How does a brilliant teacher get that way? The question of how they developed has as many answers as there are inspired instructors. One example is an original and charming woman who has become one of the best ever at taking disadvantaged students to a new level.
Jackson was born in Altoona. Her father was a construction worker. When she was in the eighth grade, her father died. Her principal, Mrs Brown, said not to worry about schoolwork for a while. That upset her. Her father would not have wanted her to do anything but her best. He always said, "Don't let your first failure be the reason for your next one."
Jackson was an accomplished shooting guard in basketball and a star sprinter on the track team, running the quartermile in 57 seconds. She thought she might become a sports broadcaster. She gave no thought to teaching until a friend took her to an introduction to a programme, which placed novice instructors in schools full of lowincome children. Jackson liked the idea of giving back, as well as the chance to have some of her student loans forgiven.
She is a big sports person, and that is how she connects with lots of children. She couldn't motivate children until she knew what was bothering or pleasing them. "Students learn from people who love them," she said. "They will be motivated and inspired to learn if they know deep down that you care about them." In class she gave basketball tickets to students who were doing their work. At weekly drawings they could win sticky notes, pencils or other small prizes.
She helped create afterschool clubs. A tall student said to her, "I'm a baller. I heard you play ball." There was a basketball league in Paterson, but the school didn't have a team. Jackson started one with support from local business executives. The student, Essence Carson, who went to Rutgers University, was a firstround draft(运动员选拔制) selection for the WNBA's New York Liberty and now plays for the Connecticut Sun.
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