Emerson High School’s AP Human Geography and AP Research teacher, Bobbi Jackson shares her dedication, passion, and enthusiasm towards her teaching career and gives a behind-the-scenes of her life apart from teaching.
Jackson enjoys teaching AP Human Geography, as it’s the most-taken AP in freshman year which allows her to collaborate and communicate with new high school students. Jackson’s favorite part about teaching AP Human Geography introduces strategies that they may have never come across before in middle school.
“Paired with the content, it introduces freshmen to a lot of new concepts about the world and helps you guys to open up a new mindset and perspective, which aids in growing into high school as well. You definitely see a change in freshmen when they come versus when they leave freshman year. AP Human Geography class specifically does a good job introducing you all to just the concepts you may have never heard and how people live,” Jackson said.
Jackson has always wanted to be a teacher. She navigated her path to being a teacher by her core inspiration from other teachers who are in the same teaching field as her.
“I went through high school, college and chose the pathway to become a teacher in social studies,” Jackson said. “The things that really impacted that decision were other teachers who inspired me and who were just not only interested in me doing well but also about my work development. Following the understanding how your actions impact your life. And that has made me continue to be a teacher now.”
As the school year comes to an end, many memories have been made. Along with teaching, having great time throughout the school year is crucial. Jackson shares her most memorable moments she experienced this school year.
“I think our pep rallies are really fun. Any student event I’ve gone to has been a lot of fun. FoCo was also a really enjoyable time. It’s nice to see what you all are working on outside of my class,” Jackson said. “When students are in their element, it’s really fun to watch and enjoy.”
Jackson is a very hardworking and self motivated person. Managing teaching can be hard but Jackson focuses on her hobbies that also impact her teaching.
“My hobbies are singing and music; it helps me plan lessons,” Jackson said. “My top three things that I personally enjoy are nature, music, anything artistic really.”
Jackson has a style of her own regards to teaching, and in terms of movies Jackson considers her style of teaching to be known as “Master Shifu” or “Kung Fu Panda.”
“He did not like Po at the beginning, and he was really hard on him but now Poh is his favorite student and they have a good connection,” Jackson said. “And that’s how most of my students take me as strict but eventually as we get to know each other I think students warm up to me and I to them!”
Jackson has a great perspective towards thinking about life and follows an incredible motto.
“You can always wake up, everyday is not a promise but you can always wake up and choose to be better. Choose to be unique, and make good decisions. In life we can just start over,” Jackson said.
