NEISD cares. . It was a campaign born out of the COVID-19 crisis, but it has been true for much longer than this pandemic. Roan Forest teacher, Juanita Blackburn truly cares and she has for years. One mother of a former student, wants everyone to know how much she cares.
Here's her note:
Have you ever been asked if your child had a favorite teacher? Of course, we all have many times. But what about you as a parent? Have you ever had a favorite teacher who taught your child?
Well, let me say I have two children. A fourteen-year-old freshman at DATA /Roosevelt high school and a seven-year-old second-grader at Hardy Oak elementary. I'd like to answer for my oldest and myself. In third grade, she began to struggle a bit with math. I was nervous. Like any parent, you want to help your child succeed. Her third-grade teacher Mrs. Juanita Blackburn just happened to send out an email to parents offering tutoring before and after school. Well, I signed up my daughter for both; the commitment was 6:45 a.m. If Mrs. Blackburn could be there for our children, then we can get our children there, I thought. I cannot tell you what kind of amazing system she, Mrs. Blackburn has, but I can tell you that her love of teaching and the love she has for our children made all the difference for my daughter. Mrs. Blackburn brought out the confidence my daughter couldn't at the time. She finished third grade happier and confident, ready for fourth grade. My daughter took that confidence and Mastered the math portion of her STAAR test in fourth grade. I couldn't be more grateful to Mrs. Blackburn, not just for her adventure in teaching my daughter, but for showing her love, respect, and confidence. Anytime I meet a family with children going into or coming from Roan Forest, I mention Juanita Blackburn with enthusiasm and admiration.
You may wonder where my fourteen-year-old is now. Well, with her new mindset and confidence, Isabella Ramirez attended DATA/ Ed White middle school. She received various awards and acknowledgments from her teachers, complete with A/B honor roll and NJHS awards. Isabella is currently taking geometry and physics this year with an A average.
Mrs. Blackburn continues to encourage her students on their academic achievements. She has instilled in her students the potential to become tomorrow's leaders. For these reasons, Mrs. Juanita Blackburn is my absolute favorite teacher for my Isabella. If this wonderful teacher had not come into our lives, I'm not sure my daughter would be the confident young lady she is now.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Ramirez
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This is what Juanita has to say about her teaching career:
"I just love these kids," said Blackburn. "You never know the impact you can have on someone. It touches me to make a difference. It truly humbles me."
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