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Local teacher receives Excellence in Education award from JCS

Jessica Blair is in her fifth-year teaching at Jessamine County Schools and was recently awarded the Excellence in Education award by the district.
Blair teaches language arts, reading and writing and says teaching is a profession which allows her to help her students see the potential in themselves as she helps guide them to excellence.
“I had many teachers that helped me understand the value I had,” Blair said. “They invested and believed in me even when I didn’t know what I was capable of. Teaching is a profession that allows you to help others realize their potential and guide them to fulfill that potential. If we want to create a better world, we have to invest in the people who will someday lead it.”
Previously awarded the East Jessamine Middle School Teacher of the Year Award, Blair says she sets high standards for all of her students and works hard to help them achieve that goal.
“I don’t have a style that is different than others or anything new,” Blair said. “I just set high expectations for all my students and help them meet them, even if they don’t want to. When students have a sense of accountability, they learn to take more initiative in their own learning. This creates lifelong learners who will eventually set high expectations for themselves.”
Growing up in Paintsville, Kentucky, Blair moved to Lexington to attend Morehead State University. When she is not teaching, she enjoys cheering on University of Kentucky and traveling the world.
“I have been to five of the seven continents and plan to finish seeing all seven in the next few years,” Blair said.
A member of Southland Christian Church, Blair works there on Sundays where she serves in the nursery.
This year, Blair said she embarks on a new adventure as she steps out to coach girls’ basketball at EJMS for the first time.
In the future, Blair said she looks forward to continuing to grow as a teacher and meeting the students that will help teach her how to grow along her way.
“This award goes to my colleagues who have taken the time to invest in me as a young teacher,” Blair said.
“They believed in me and challenged me. So, to win this helps me feel appreciative that I had people that developed me into the teacher I am today.”
Winning this award makes Blair eligible to receive nomination for the Kentucky Teacher of the Year Award.
“To know that I am in the running with teachers who have impacted students’ lives across the state is an honor,” Blair said.