You may know or remember Bill Jackson as a great teacher but did you know he is also an Olympian?  Bill competes at the State Senior Games each year and has been qualifying for the National Senior Olympics since the 90s.

<p=””></p=””>In this year’s State Games, Bill placed 1^st in the 800 meter, 3^rd in the 200 meter and 4th in the 400 meter.  “My best national performance was 4^th place in the 800 meter run on the LSU track in Baton Rouge.  My poorest showing was at Stanford University in CA.  It is such a nice facility that almost everyone who qualified showed up.  I was eliminated in the first two heats.  It’s like I tell my students, how well you do often depends on who shows up.”  He also preaches, “be specific”, while teaching kids to write.  This lesson played out for him when Nationals were held in Louisville KY, “I stopped to ask for directions to the “track”, followed them carefully, and ended up at Churchill Downs.  “I always tell my students to be specific; I guess I did not take my own advice.”
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Bill is a champion in the classroom too. Genuine concern for individual students is his hallmark as he teaches Reading and Bible, along with test talking skills, organization and the value of hard work.  He weaves childhood stories, experiences from his career in the textile industry, practical advice, and lots of humor, into his classes.  What do students remember about Mr. Jackson?  Crème Savers!  ”I give these out to kids for going above and beyond expectations at school or at home.”  He is often surrounded by students clamoring for his attention so they can tell him what they did to earn one.  “I am amazed at the lengths students will go to qualify for a Crème Saver!”

FAMOUS MR. JACKSON QUOTES:

You don’t have to BE the best but always DO your best.
Your career begins in 6^th grade…performance now effects success later.
God gave you abilities and talents.  It is an insult not to use them.
Act like you’ve got good sense.

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