Fondren Middle School principal recognized as HISD Star Educator

Principal LaKia Jackson is driving significant change at Fondren Middle School and has been named this week’s HISD Star Educator. With two decades of experience in urban education, Jackson brings a dedication to motivating both students and teachers at her NES campus. She and her team are cultivating a high-performance culture supported by the school's mantra: Excellence: Everyone-Everything-Everyday.

Jackson's career began as a seventh-grade English Language Arts (ELA) teacher for ten years before she transitioned into various leadership roles, including reading specialist, literacy coach, instructional specialist, assistant principal, and dean of instruction. She is committed to providing students with the best opportunities for success.

In an interview, Jackson shared insights into her background and goals:

Favorite subject in school: English Language Arts and Reading

Favorite book: "Dare to Lead" by Brene Brown

Favorite thing about Houston: “You can go to one side of Houston and feel that you’re in a completely different state or country. I live far north, and I can book a staycation by the Galleria and completely escape as if I was in another country.”

Goal for your students and staff this upcoming school year: “My goal for our staff and students would be for all of them to receive the necessary scaffolded support and high-quality instruction that will yield continued growth academically and socially.”

Reflecting on changes observed throughout the school year, Jackson noted the evolution of school culture among teachers. "I was extremely intentional about us building the culture," she said. "I want people to want to come because there are going to be some days where it’s really difficult." Emphasizing the importance of supporting yet holding teachers accountable, she added, "Now they see that I’m really there for them... And they want to do it."

Jackson also discussed the positive impact of differentiated instruction on student achievement. “It has motivated our frequent students that are going to the team center,” she explained. Students initially unsure about attending these sessions eventually found motivation through their accomplishments. "Even some of our discipline kids were going to the team center not for discipline but because they got As or S2s," Jackson remarked.

Highlighting moments from this past school year that brought her pride, Jackson recounted an interaction with eighth graders who excitedly shared their academic progress with her. “Last week I had maybe about three eighth graders at dismissal... They were so excited that they met their growth points,” she said. This sense of ownership over their achievements signifies a broader cultural shift towards valuing education within the student body.