Jai L. Thomas, M.Ed

Educator/Teacher
Los Angeles Unified School District, California

After spending 7 years in the United States Navy, I found myself in a world of unknown until I discovered my place in the classroom. I have spent the last 12 years teaching our future and could not have found a profession more fulfilling. If I could give one piece of advice to new teachers, it would be that it is OK to "go off script" and not follow the lesson plan. Students are not pawns to be moved across a chessboard. Have fun with your students and build relationships because education is about growing the whole child, a complex human being replete with feelings craving attention, talents awaiting development, and flaws seeking solutions. Students will remember these relationships and not merely the content that was taught. This lesson I learned led me to do a school-wide project called Scarves for Students which caught me by surprise as a spotlighted teacher on ABC World News Tonight, a Pacer's Indiana Hero, and a grant recipient as a Hardee's All-Star.

Disclosure information not submitted.

Presentation(s):

• Social-Emotional Development of Gifted LGBTQ Individuals: Retrospective Studies Part Two

  Sunday, November 12, 2023
  8:00 AM – 9:00 AM East Coast USA Time