Enterprise teacher named finalist for 2021 PAEMST award

ENTERPRISE, Miss. - Walking into the field of education, Jaqueline Lewis had no idea after 15 years of teaching she would be making history at Enterprise High School. Lewis is one of six teachers in the state nominated for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Program.

“My principal, two of my co-workers and a former student all wrote letters of recommendation and then Chris Randle came in and tapped one of my classes," said Lewis. "All of that was part of a portfolio that had to be sent in-- in addition to a narrative I had to write.”

Lewis has 17 years of experience in computer software design engineering and currently teaches Algebra 1 and AP Computer Science. After her challenging 1st year of teaching in Texas, she took a different approach to her classroom.

“They hated me. It was a very very tough first year. My husband said "why don’t you treat your classroom like an engineering department--manage it that way.”

That’s when Lewis had the idea of...

“Talent Balanced Teams and the 90 Minute Sprint and it works great. Kids respond the same way that employees do," she said. "It’s a mindset that every single second in that room is an instructional moment we can not spare.”

Lewis says the change was a success and she’s been using it ever since. She says thanks to the Enterprise School District, she is able to enjoy her dream of teaching.

“They give the teachers everything they need to be successful. They let us teach and it’s just a great place to be.”

Two PAEMST finalist will be judged on a higher level in the near future.