Allow me to introduce Jessica Jones-Williams the phenomenal educator &
Founder/ Managing Director of First Class Learning Academy.
Where she has chosen to dedicate her passion, expertise, & thirst for education to drive her career for over two decades & for someone such as myself who also believes in the importance of education and the doors it can unlock. I am glad to have the chance to highlight such a special Woman as Jessica Jones- Williams. First Class Learning Center specifically creates tailor-made curriculum & educational plans to fit the needs of each specific student to help ensure a better chance towards success throughout the length of their academic lives.
You’ve had 20 years of background in education. Why did you feel the need to
specifically, begin your own institution?
I had a burning passion and desire that I just couldn’t get rid of! God has blessed
me with the patience to take the time to work with each individual client to break
through the barrier that may have blocked their learning as well as provide challenging concepts to help the advanced learners excel.
What do you feel are the advantages of having a privately funded learning
institution such as yours?
Having the ability to only focus on the mission, empowering the community one
learner at a time is the greatest benefit of having a privately funded institution.
Empowerment can come in multiple forms, & being able to cater the plans for
each individual client allows our institution to provide content that is specific to the exact learner.
There are a lot of debates going on in the media today about what students
should & shouldn’t be learning. What’s one thing you feel should
be taught in today’s classrooms?
Endurance. We as educators give up too quickly in order to meet the deadlines &
timelines enforced by the school districts & systems. However, teaching
endurance doesn’t matter how long it takes to get it, will remove the mentality
it’s not important because we are “just going to move on.”
Since the onset of Covid -19, there has been a lot of talk about mental & social
health suffering amongst today’s youth. How do you & your staff work to
combat this?
We most definitely try to stay engaged and involved in our client’s life, ensuring to
check in with both the client and parents of clients quite frequently! We also
contact them via mail so that we can offer tangible items/gifts of acknowledgment
for various holidays, birthdays, and achievements!
It is my understanding that you have specified learning programs ranging
from adolescents age 12 all the way up to adults age 30. Why was this of
utmost importance to your institution?
Our programs actually cater to all age levels because learning happens at all stages of life.
It’s never too late to “get it” and be empowered! Our mentorship and
coaching programs does follow the age range as designed because we do specialize
in building the youth, who will go on to be the Future Leaders of Society.
Are there any scholarships available & accepted in order to attend the
academy?
We do offer scholarships to families who are economically challenged. This year,
we are excited about developing additional scholarships to offer to the community as well!
Have you noticed any specific challenges with enrollment or running your
own private learning academy?
Yes, our biggest challenge is the economic struggle within the various communities
and making it cost-efficient and affordable for both our institution and our clients.
How have you worked to combat this?
We offer discounts for short & long-term packages of up to 30% off.
What is your favorite age group to work with & Why?
My favorite age group is 7th/8th graders transitioning to high school or Algebra/
Integrated Math. I love this particular age group because this group of learners is
being exposed to the concept of numbers and alphabet mix! This is the time that
most parents begin to lose the ability to help their children, & most children begin
to feel defeated because they lack the understanding of what is being taught.
Tell us about one teacher that influenced you the most and what made it
memorable?
Ms. Souter, was my 10th-grade Algebra II honors teacher. She was so
organized with her system of teaching as well as consistent with her expectations
that it made learning enjoyable!
Is there an emphasis on balanced meal programs for those students that may
be food insecure?
While we are strictly virtual and our clients are all over the US as well as some
international, we do not have a meal plan, but in each session, we do ensure that
they have had their nutrition and/ or encouraged them to bring their snacks to the sessions.
Share with our readers any parting thoughts or words of wisdom &
encouragement you’d like to leave in closing.
It is absolutely ok to need help/assistance with learning! When we learn we are
training our brains and working out various parts of it. Just like with any other
athlete, we sometimes have a trainer to help us reach our goals. That is what is
also important in education!
Jessica Jones- Williams surely lets her dedication for pouring into future
generations speak out with clarity & bold direction. She wants to make it her
business to leave no child or adult behind for that matter. I for one definitely feel
that is an ambition that is commendable & one that more people should begin to
adopt. As the UNCF slogan states, “A Mind Sincerely is a Terrible Thing to
Waste”. Jessica also makes it clear to us that it is never too late to learn, & that no
matter how old we get we actually never stop learning in fact. Cultivating a healthy
thirst for knowledge & pursuit of higher learning will always be important. It will
only get better & keep improving with time.
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