Merry Acres Middle School’s Kawanna Jones sells science to her students

ALBANY — Merry Acres Middle School seventh-grade science teacher Kawanna Jones regards herself as a salesperson — she sells education to students.

“I think my greatest contribution to education is that I sell science and approach my students daily with the energy and strategy of a marketing consultant,” Jones, one of eight finalists for Dougherty County’s 2015-16 Teacher of the Year, said.”It is my goal that science education is so appealing that my students must buy in.

“My classroom is beyond the scope of ‘come in and do your work.’ We are tactile, mobile, visual and auditory. I design my lessons with them in mind; it is my aim to not only teach at a higher level, but also provide activities and enrichment that will hearten my students to think at a higher level and think for themselves.”

While education has always been at the forefront of her life, Jones never saw herself becoming a teacher.

“Education has always been central to me,” Jones said. “Growing up, I would spend summers in the library prepping for the upcoming school term and constantly studying hard to maintain high honor roll. I loved school and learning and while I held my teachers in high regard, the thought of becoming one never crossed my mind.”

Jones acknowledges her approach to education is different than most.

“After my second year of teaching I made a conscious decision not to recycle lesson plans,” She said. “Each year is different and each student deserves a fresh and even more rewarding experience. This challenges me to continue to grow as an educator, to push the envelope and create a new, exciting and relevant learning opportunity for the children.”

Jones holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Albany State University, and a master’s of education from Nova Southeastern University.

Dougherty County’s 2015-16 Teacher of the Year will be announced Thursday evening at a banquet at the Hilton Garden Inn.