PORTSMOUTH, Va. — One of the biggest hurdles teachers face is finding ways to keep students engaged in the classroom. Oftentimes, doing so requires extra time and effort.
One teacher has done just that by dedicating time and energy to inspire her pupils.
Jessica Campbell-Merrill is a full-time teacher, a mother of three and a military spouse. She somehow finds a 25th hour in each day to make a difference in the lives of young girls at Victory Elementary, the school where she teaches.
Jessica serves as a coach for the "Girls on the Run" after-school program. The mantra of the program is to engage the minds and bodies of the children who participate. The team meets weekly after school at Victory Elementary with the goal of inspiring girls to be healthy and confident, integrating physical activity and problem-solving.
Jessica's peers say they've taken notice of the effort she puts into the program.
“The program thrives because of people like Jessica, She has shown such a dedication and commitment to kids in the community and she’s great at it,” says program director Emily Matisko.
For Jessica, the reward is seeing real change in her young team members.
“I feel great that we are helping the next generation learn how to cope and become better human beings,” said Jessica.
For making a positive change in the community, Jessica Campbell-Merrill is this week's News 3 Everyday Hero!
