NAME: Mrs. J

SCHOOL: Gleason School

CLASS: Biology I & II, Chemistry, and Environmental Science

SCHOOL PHONE: 731-648-5351

What You Always Wanted to Know, but Were Afraid to Ask. (Or Not)

   I am Betty Jackson. Originally, I'm from Brighton, TN. I have taught in 
Brownsville, TN, Cape Girardeau, MO, and Memphis, TN. After I got married I  
moved to Weakley County.  I have been teaching at Gleason for 20 years (I 
was very young when I started). My husband, Jim, and I have been married for 
28 years, and we have 2 sons, Jay (25) and Jason (23). Jay plans to get 
married this fall and Jason plans to graduate from UTM next summer.
   Educationally, I hold a Bachelor of Science Degree, a Master's Degree, 
and have several hours above a Master's Degree. I am headed for the next 
step, which is 30 hours above a Masters.  I feel it is vital for 
professionals to take an active part in professional organizations, because 
of this I belong to several: National Science Teachers, Tennessee Science 
Teachers, Biology Teachers Association, Weakley County Teachers Association, 
Tennessee Teachers Association, and National Teachers Association.  From my 
involvement in these organizations, I keep up with trends in education and 
get many ideas for the classroom.
   Most summers I teach one session of summer school and then do some type 
of workshop.  A few summers ago I attended a Biotechnology Workshop at MTSU. 
Because of this, we now get DNA kits, Bacterial Transformation kits, etc. 
free of charge. This is a real plus for our Biology classes because these 
kits are very expensive.  This summer I plan to attend another workshop that 
focuses on Biotechnology, Chemistry, and environmental issues.
   Among the school and family activities, I have a few hobbies.  I like to 
cook,read, and currently I am making quilt tops. The more interesting your 
life, the less likely you are to go the wrong way.

Work Hard and Have a Little Fun While You Work

One of the most important chacteristics for anyone, student, teacher, adults 
in the working world, is a good work ethic.  My mission for all my students 
is they work hard and diligently. The old cliche about "Why do I need to 
learn this. I'm never going to use it.", is an excuse.  We work hard, mix in 
some activities, and labs, and in the process we learn from each other.