This award is an honor and recognizes the incredible opportunities I have been allowed in this profession. It is a validation of the hard work and dedication of fellow teachers and mentors who have supported me, pushed me, and allowed me to do what I know is best for my students. We can guide our students to reach beyond the expectations set for them if we allow them to be creative and think outside the box. It encourages me to continue raising the bar and pushing boundaries for our kids.

Jana Chao Clinton, MS | K-6, Science, 2022

The official biography below was current at the time of the award.

Jana Chao has been an educator for over 17 years and is currently an elementary computer science (CS) coordinator and teacher for Clinton Public Schools. She previously spent over 13 years at Eastside Elementary School teaching fifth grade CS for seven years and, before that, taught English/language arts in fourth and fifth grades. Additionally, she taught kindergarten for two years at Raymond Elementary School. Jana was an integral part of beginning the CS program at her school for fifth-grade students. Her leadership and love for teaching resulted in the growth of the program beyond her classroom to all elementary students. In her role as CS coordinator, she leads elementary CS teachers as they work to expand the program. As a part of CS instruction, Jana incorporates other core subject areas into collaborative, project-based learning where students apply critical thinking and problem solving skills learned and honed in CS to create unique presentations. She uses robotics to challenge students' application and holds a yearly Computer Science Day focused on showcasing to students how computer science is used in a variety of work environments and fields. Jana has presented sessions on robotics, digital citizenship, and developing a CS program at the state level and facilitates sessions for a coding curriculum. She has served on the state-wide task force and strategic planning team for implementing CS in Mississippi at the elementary level. Jana has a B.S. in elementary education from William Carey University; an M.Ed. in elementary education from Delta State University; and is a National Board Certified Teacher. She is currently completing an Ed.D. in educational leadership from the University of Southern Mississippi.

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