Her Story
About Jaylynn
Jaylynn Wilson is an emerging education professional pursuing a degree in Mathematics with an emphasis in Teacher Preparation at California State University, Sacramento. She is building experience in education through her work as a paraeducator with Zen Educate, a tutor with Grade Potential Tutoring, and a teaching fellow with Breakthrough Collaborative. Her professional interests include student development, classroom instruction, special education support, and helping students develop the academic and social skills necessary for success.
Through her work with Zen Educate, Jaylynn supports students in special education and general education settings, including students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Section 504 plans, and other learning needs. At Breakthrough Collaborative, she participated in an intensive eight-week teaching fellowship, collaborating with a teaching partner to develop lesson plans and independently teach two sixth-grade social studies classes. Her responsibilities also included leading a daily advisory group focused on relationship-building, community development, and social-emotional skills. In addition, her tutoring experience with Grade Potential Tutoring has strengthened her skills in individualized instruction and student support.
Jaylynn attributes her professional growth to being coachable and teachable, actively applying feedback from teachers, coaches, and mentors to improve her abilities. She values making a meaningful impact, giving her best effort, and maintaining a strong work ethic. Looking ahead, she aims to complete her education, become a certified educator, and pursue opportunities in high school track and field coaching. She is particularly interested in addressing students' broader needs, including mental health and food security, while maintaining educational standards and creating supportive learning environments.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jaylynn
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my willingness to be coachable and teachable. I value feedback from teachers, coaches, and mentors and use their guidance to identify areas for improvement, strengthen my skills, and continue growing both personally and professionally.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of the most valuable lessons I learned came from my former teacher, Catherine Wells. She emphasized the importance of distinguishing between growth data, which measures individual student progress, and achievement data, which compares student performance against national averages. This perspective has helped me appreciate the importance of recognizing individual growth while understanding broader academic expectations.
I also believe in the importance of being a consistent and positive role model for students, demonstrating the values and behaviors that help them succeed.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering education is to remain open-minded, coachable, and teachable. Education is an evolving field, and being receptive to feedback from mentors and experienced professionals can help you adapt, develop your skills, and become a more effective educator. Embrace opportunities to learn, ask questions, and continually improve your approach to supporting students.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in education is meeting students' non-academic needs, including mental health concerns and food insecurity, while maintaining educational standards. Students bring different experiences and challenges into the classroom, and educators must find ways to support their overall well-being while helping them achieve academically.
At the same time, education offers meaningful opportunities for individuals entering the profession. Motivated new educators can make a lasting difference in students' lives through consistent support, meaningful relationships, and effective instruction. I believe there is significant potential to positively influence students during the school day by creating supportive environments that address both their academic and personal development.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are making a meaningful impact, giving 100% effort, and being hardworking. I strive to approach my responsibilities with dedication and a commitment to doing my best. I also value continuous improvement, openness to feedback, and the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of the students and communities I serve.
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