Tom Jackson

Background

About Tom Jackson

I am a dedicated teacher with a broad range of endorsements, allowing me to adapt to various roles across grades and subjects. My career began with a student teaching placement in a third-grade classroom at Lincoln Elementary in Adrian, MI, an IB PYP school, where I first embraced inquiry-based learning. I then spent four years teaching 6th grade at Martin Sortun Elementary in Kent, WA and later transitioned to the middle school environment at Nooksack Valley Middle School in WA, where I have taught everything from Math and Science to 8th graders to humanities to 6th graders. I believe students thrive in environments built on trust and respect, and I prioritize building strong relationships to create safe, supportive learning communities. This approach encourages students to take risks, engage with challenging material, and feel secure in their academic journey. Building strong relationships is my greatest strength as a teacher. Collaboration is essential to my teaching philosophy. At Martin Sortun, I co-taught a combined class with a colleague, breaking down physical and instructional barriers to create a more cohesive learning experience. At Nooksack Valley Middle School, I work as part of a team-based teaching model, sharing student groups with close teaching partners. I’ve also served as a union representative to address systemic challenges and foster a positive school environment. Beyond the classroom, I’m deeply committed to supporting school culture and extracurricular activities. My involvement has included mentoring students in their PYP exhibition projects, coaching and assisting with the LEGO robotics club, track, and volleyball teams, and founding a Rubik’s Cube club where I have taught over 150 students to solve the puzzle. A lifelong learner, I completed my EdD in educational leadership. My research centered on restorative justice, focusing on fostering community and enhancing student-teacher relationships. My research helped school leaders identify specific steps to create a more holistic system of discipline that reduces student exclusions from the classroom.