Beth Jones – Daisy Elementary School
May 5, 2026— For Beth Jones, teaching has always been about making a difference. “I really just wanted to make a difference and make an impact,” she said. “And what better way to do that than to become a teacher?”
Now in her ninth year teaching Pre-K at Daisy Elementary, and with 18 years of experience working with the littlest kids in the school, Mrs. Jones says she has always known where she belonged. “I’ve always felt a draw towards children and a calling,” she said. “I think it’s my calling.”
She has spent her career in Pre-K, where every day brings something new. “I just love how curious they are, and they’re just natural learners,” she said. “They want to learn, and they talk all the time. I love all the questions that they ask.”
One of her favorite things to teach is literacy. She loves helping students learn letters and sounds, reading stories together, and asking questions that help them think deeply. “I want them to be really good, deep thinkers,” she said.
Mrs. Jones believes teaching Pre-K means caring for the whole child. Along with academics, she focuses on helping students learn how to manage emotions, build confidence, and grow socially. “We know academics is important, of course, but then you have the social-emotional piece,” she said. “They’ve all got big feelings, so we have to teach them how to deal with all of that.”
Above all, she wants every child to know they are loved and believed in.
The main thing I want them to know is that I love them and that I believe in them. I believe that they can do anything.
That encouragement matters, especially for students who may be entering school for the first time. Some arrive nervous, unsure, or convinced they cannot do something yet. Mrs. Jones helps them see what is possible. “They’ll tell me, ‘I can’t do that,’” she said. “You just need to practice. Yes, you can.”
Watching that growth is one of her favorite parts of the job. “Some of them are so scared to come. They’re crying on the first day,” she said. “And then you see them happy and independent. Every year I’m proud of how far they’ve grown.”
She also loves being part of the Daisy Elementary community. “Somebody told me my first year here, ‘This is a special little school,’” she said. “And yeah, it is.” She praised the supportive culture where everyone is valued, from teachers to cafeteria staff to bus drivers and students. “If one person’s down here, everybody rallies around them.”
Even on hard days, Mrs. Jones says her students keep her going. “They deserve my absolute best every day,” she said. “Whether I feel like it or not, they deserve that.”
During Teacher Appreciation Week, we are reminded how important educators like Beth Jones are. Through patience, kindness, and a belief in every child, she helps Daisy’s youngest learners build a strong start.
Thank you, Mrs. Jones, for everything you do.
