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Janelle Majette was named the 2023-24 S.P. Morton Elementary School Teacher of the Year at the Jan. 18 Franklin City School Board meeting, and she was also the runner-up for the division-wide Teacher of the Year honor.

“I was extremely excited!” she exclaimed while describing her reaction to the SPM honor, which was awarded based on a vote by her colleagues.

“To receive this honor made me feel extremely proud because my colleagues showed their love for me as a teacher by choosing me,” she said. “It made me feel that my hard work and dedication to my students has really paid off to receive such a great honor.”

Currently a third grade teacher, she is in her sixth year at SPM, having taught first grade there for three years and now also third grade for three years.

Her teaching career spans 11 years total, including tenures at both public and private schools.

She prepared for this career by earning a Bachelor of Science degree in early childhood education with a concentration in leadership from Rasmussen University in Ocala, Florida.

“I’ve always had a desire to better the lives of each child that I had any interaction with,” she said, describing what motivated her to become a teacher. “Also, each student I have is putting a great deal of trust in me that hopefully one day they can use what I have taught them in their personal and professional lives.”

SPM Principal Angela Fair spoke highly of Majette in a Franklin City Public Schools news release that was highlighting Majette’s accolades.

“‘A true teacher is a forever scholar. Learning with and from their students is joy,’” Fair said, reciting a quote. “I find that to be descriptive of Ms. Majette. She amazes me how she helps her students to grow. Even so, not just her students, but all students with whom she comes in contact. Ms. Majette coaches high school students and doesn’t mind sharing her athleticism to mold the mental and physical aspects of young scholars. It is my pleasure to work with and alongside Ms. Majette. I congratulate her on this endeavor and know that she will go far in the world of academia.”

In announcing Majette as the SPM Teacher of the Year at the Jan. 18 school board meeting, FCPS Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction and Human Resources Dr. Dwana White read a statement from Majette that conveyed her insights on the impact a teacher can have on their students.

White said, “This candidate says, ‘I believe that I have a great impact on each student that I meet. I feel that my impact is not just on my students in the classroom but outside my classroom. I feel that the most important thing to have when working with children is building relationships with every student. You cannot treat each student the same way — they are all unique in their own individual way. I have learned that if my students can trust me, they will do what is asked. I try to build beyond the educational part of their lives but the part of their lives that will help mold them into being great men and women.”