Children are born with an innate desire to learn and explore. What starts as a flame within them gives the potential to discover that which, as of yet , remains undiscovered. Teachers can either fan the flame or quench it. I choose to start an inferno.
Jackie Gillespie is currently teaching her third year at NIA in second grade. Jackie received her BSE in Early Childhood in 1991 and her Master’s in Elementary Administration in 2003. Her passion for teaching and learning has led her to many areas of education including; PreK, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade classroom teacher, homeschool parent educator, Parent Educator for the Parents as Teachers program developed in her home state of Missouri, Instructor and Residency Master Clinician for TN State University, and Principal of a K-12 private school in White House, TN. Jackie’s quote comes from years of observing children and teachers. Her favorite experience thus far has been the 3 years spent teaching second grade at NIA.
Gillespie and her husband, Steve, live in Franklin, TN. Though natives of central Missouri, the Gillespies have lived in the Nashville area for 15 years. They are parents to 4 adult children and 4 younger children ranging in ages from 6-13. They are also blessed with one granddaughter. In addition, the Gillespies are passionate about caring for moms and children from hard places through an agency known as Jonah’s Journey. Most of the time there are not just 4 littles but 5 filling their home with joy.