Jamin Jones
Manager of Special Education
Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education, Spring Arbor University
Mrs. Jones is a manager of special education at Michigan Connections Academy. She has over 10 years of experience in the field. Mrs. Jones shares more below.
Why I Became A Teacher
I come from a family of educators. My father was an elementary teacher for over 30 years and my mother worked as a paraprofessional in a self-contained classroom. As a high school student, I worked as a teacher's assistant in the classroom and made friends with students who were different than me but added so much to my life. I loved seeing them learn and grow and knowing the impact I could have.
The Online School Experience
Our teachers have biweekly calls to talk with students and parents about student success. During that time, we learn about the family environment and all the things that make our students and their families unique. Our field trips allow us the chance to meet families in person and to continue building the relationships we develop in the virtual setting. It is always amazing to see families in person and to have them get so excited to see you in person. Our students make me smile the most when they look at me in person, outside of the computer square, and they say, “I thought you would be taller.”
An education at Michigan Connections Academy is exactly like an education anywhere else, in the respect that the students will get out of it precisely what they put into it. Now, if they can work our program as it is designed, and if they have sufficient support at home from their Learning Coach, then our program helps to set them up for success in the respect that they are building a foundation of time-management skills, discipline, numerous computer skills, and independence.
My favorite part of the job is when we solve a puzzle. When we identify the issue and put the right supports into place, the student feels successful...that’s the magic of our process. The joy the parents experience from seeing their children succeed is the cherry –on top of a perfect moment.
Michigan Connections Academy teaches students to grow into independent learners, which is needed for any post-secondary path our students take. It teaches students to advocate for themselves by seeking out support when they don’t understand or when they want to know more. It helps students learn to manage their time and to self-monitor their learning. They troubleshoot by navigating a system, classes, different teaching personalities and environments, all to work toward overall success and graduation.
"I have worked in traditional settings and, as a teacher, I was constantly pulled away from my students for behavioral support. I never got the chance to work with my kids in a way that was truly beneficial to their needs like we do at Michigan Connections Academy."
— Mrs. Jones