Jessica McGale

Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.

The art of teaching is one that is arguably the most important in the world. When we are very young, we rely on our parents or guardians to teach us basic motor skills, how to eat and how to take care of ourselves. As we gain independence, our teachers in life guide us through discovering the world around us, mastering new skills and habits along the way. Even the most experienced and prestigious professions in the world are only possible with the help of educators. This week, we spotlight the efforts and dedications of one of Jefferson County's very own educators, Jessica McGale.
McGale has been teaching Kindergarten at Jefferson County K-12 for the last eight years. She discovered her love of working with young children in high school, where she took an Early Childhood class.
“I got to work with pre-K kids at our school,” McGale recalls, “and I got to intern at the elementary school across the street. That was when I realized that I loved working with young children.”
McGale began her teaching career with a variety of teaching jobs, including teaching at Chaires Elementary School in Tallahassee, VPK at a few preschools in Tallahassee, and nearly three years working as a nanny for an amazing family. Through all of her teaching experiences with young children, McGale says she has developed a love for working with children in the younger age groups.
“I love working with VPK and Kindergarten,” she exclaims. “It is usually their first experience at a 'big kid' school. Everything is new and exciting for them, and I get to make learning fun.”
McGale feels that an effective teacher must be loving, caring and understanding when working with children, and describes her teaching style as “creative, caring and passionate.” Being able to stay organized and keep up with a constantly changing world of technology and expanding curriculum is also a crucial part of helping the students be prepared for not just their current school year, but the years of education to come.
“I want everyone to know the importance of pre-K, VPK and Kindergarten. We are setting the foundation for our students and for their future,” says McGale. “I hope my students learn to find a love for learning. I also try to instill in them to make good choices so they can be 'leaders!' We teachers can't do this alone, and we need all the support we can get. As the saying goes, 'it takes a village to raise a child,' and I believe that starts at home.”
The joys of teaching come with challenges, and McGale says her biggest challenge is to try and meet each student's academic needs throughout the year.
“They come in on such a wide range of abilities,” she says. “Some come in not knowing how to hold a pencil, and some come in already reading.”
The challenges are all worthwhile, though, and McGale knows all her hard work and dedication has paid off when she can see the student's excitement for school and learning new things, and how they can turn that excitement into academic growth throughout the year. Perhaps the biggest reward she experiences is being able to encourage students who have been struggling academically to believe in themselves and their own abilities.
While McGale is enthusiastic about where she is in her teaching career, her future dreams consists of attending a national teacher conference like Elevate or Get Your Teach On. Outside of her teaching career, she enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach and traveling. She and her husband, James, will be celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary this July.
Jessica McGale is one of many Jefferson County educators that are helping to mold the minds of tomorrow's leaders. Thank you for everything you do!