During the 2010-11 school year, fifth-grade teacher Jennifer Scott went on a campaign to encourage good behavior and build character into the lives of the students at Boynton Elementary. She called the program PRIDE, which stands for Positive Results In Dynamic Education. The theme was to “encourage and promote students in loving and respecting themselves, others and their school community.” Scott, voted Teacher of the Year by her peers that spring, said teaching and nurturing children has always seemed natural to her.

“I had two aunts on both sides of my family who were teachers,” Scott said. “I can remember being a little girl and always wanting to be a teacher. I had several teachers while growing up that made a difference in my life. They were teachers who were not just teaching the curriculum but teachers who truly loved and cared about their students. I wanted to be one of those teachers. I wanted to personally connect with my students and show them that they can have a bright future in spite of their circumstances.”

In the summer of 2011, after much prayer and deliberation, she said she stepped into the assistant principal position at Boynton. After teaching there for 16 years, Scott said she missed the classroom, but she truly felt it was God’s will for her to make the move, and the changes were rewarding and enlightening.

“As a teacher, you’re so focused on your class that you don’t get to see all the other components,” Scott said, “so it’s been really good to be able to not only be in the lives of just a classroom of 28 children, but to be in all the lives of the children from pre-K to fifth grade and also to be in the lives of the adults in the building, with the faculty and staff, and try to be a positive and encouraging influence to them. I like that I can walk through the school and see how other teachers are impacting the lives of their students.”

Although she’s expanded her list of duties, Scott said counseling with children is still a big part of the job.

“I strive to be devoted to my students and respect each one, while trying to reach their individual needs,” Scott said. “It’s my duty to display a sincere concern for each student by having an interest in their academic and personal lives. There are a lot of external factors that some of these children are dealing with, things they can’t control. I feel like if we can give them a little peace and understanding while they’re here, it’s a good thing. Some of them may not always get that at home.”

Scott attributed a good dose of her confidence and experience to Boynton’s fifth-grade team, Tristine Givens and Cathy Billington, whom she described as invaluable mentors over the years.

“They are both what I would describe as ‘serving leaders,’” Scott explained. “When I came here that first year, they took me under their wing and shared so much wisdom with me. They were kind, patient and so supportive. I wouldn’t be where I am today had it not been for them.”

Scott has been married to her husband Larry for 17 years and they have two daughters, Gracie (10) and Lily (5). She said when she isn’t at work, the most important thing to her is spending lots of time with her family.