Teaching English Language Arts to middle school students is no easy task. Jacquelyn “Jackie” Gable of Duke Public Schools takes on the task with pride. Seeing each of her students walk away feeling successful and confident is the goal she sets for her classroom.
Teaching in any school means a certain amount of juggling classroom time with extracurricular activities. Being married to a coach and having three children involved in athletics, Mrs. Gable understands the challenges her students face while appreciating the benefits.
“I make it a priority to be at every single thing I can possibly be at in order to cheer them on. Likewise, I support my students in their activities and events that are important to them.
“I love how the athletics program brings our school and community together. I love watching the athletes form bonds with each other and their coaches that will last a lifetime. I admire how hard they work to juggle their academics, extracurricular activities, and sports, not to mention family events,” she said.
Teamwork is one of the most important lessons she has learned from her students through the years. “I am an independent person and I always have a difficult time asking for help or allowing someone else to help me with a task when offered. Over the years, I have slowly learned to be more accepting of help and complete tasks with others,” she said.
Change keeps Mrs. Gable motivated and she loves it. “I have taught a range of students in the classroom from PreK through seventh grade. Changing subjects, classes and grade levels keeps me on my toes. I push myself to learn more each year and apply it to my teaching,” she says.
Watching her students grow, intellectually and in life is the most rewarding. Her biggest career accomplishment is seeing so many of her students reach their career goals. She is particularly proud seeing five former students become teachers with their own classrooms.
The advice she wants to give her students is, “life is hard and oftentimes messy, but we are blessed, nonetheless. Embrace each moment and search for the good in every situation.”
