Around the Schools
Washington Middle School counselor appointed to serve on board of Professional Educator Standards Board
Takiyah Jackson, a National Board Certified Counselor at Washington Middle School, was appointed Oct. 11 to serve on the Washington Professional Educator Standards Board. Her term expires June 30, 2014. The board consists of 12 members appointed by the Gov. Christine Gregoire, the majority of whom are practicing educators.
The board’s goal is to improve educator quality and help the state develop highly effective professional educators who meet the diverse needs of Washington’s schools and districts.
Jackson, the only school counselor on the board, will be working with other board members in their role as policymakers, program implementers, advocates, and advisors for the state’s educational system.
Jackson has been working with students since she was 16 years old. As a student and athlete, she taught younger students how to play sports and be successful in school and sports. Throughout her high school and college years, she continued to mentor and teach younger students about academics and sports.
She was an All-American in high school and continued her basketball career at UCLA on a student scholarship. She graduated with her BA in Sociology in 2000. Two years later, she graduated from Seattle Pacific Universities School Counseling Program with a master’s degree in Education.
While in graduate school, she worked for the Seattle Public Schools as a transition specialist and assessment coordinator. After receiving her master’s degree and counseling certification, she began her counseling career at Washington Middle School.