Summers in Mount Clemens for Candice Jackson meant frequent walks to Miller Brothers Creamery for her favorite scoop of ice cream. And bike rides with friends to the beach to splash in the waters of Lake St. Clair. And playground fun during day camp with the Parks and Recreation department. And filing and sorting as a page at the city library, where in a full-circle moment, she returned to read to children.
Candice’s visit to her hometown wasn’t just to reminisce about memories from her childhood but came as a perk of being named Michigan Teacher of the Year. “The whole thing is pretty amazing. It’s been an honor,” she says. Candice teaches third grade at Mann Learning Community in the Detroit Public Schools Community District. She was nominated for the award and made it through several rounds before being named the winner last May.
“I was definitely surprised and humbled. I had a big feeling of imposter syndrome,” she softly laughs. “It wasn’t even on my radar. It started out as, ‘This is a long shot,’ to actually winning.” And an extra point of pride for Candice: She is only the third African American to earn the state honor and the first educator from the Detroit district in 16 years. “To represent the city, it’s been a big deal for them. These are big shoes to fill.”
Candice attended Michigan State University with the initial intention of pursuing accounting. But while involved in a university-sponsored program where she taught accounting and economic principles to children in the community, she found her true calling – education.
“I always think somewhere in my mind, I wanted to be a teacher. Like most little girls, I liked playing school,” she recalls warmly. “For some reason, there was the allure of making more money, but it took me all of a year to realize I wanted to be a teacher.”
A love of learning has been woven into Candice’s life since her earliest years. “My parents always instilled in me that education is important,” she says. So much so, that they enrolled her in a magnet program at the now-shuttered Washington Elementary School. There, she found a hero in her third-grade teacher, Mrs. Harrington, one of only a handful of educators with the same skin color.
“I think seeing an African American teacher made me think it’s possible. Representation matters. It makes a difference seeing people who look like you and creates a want in you to do something.”
In middle school and at Mount Clemens High School, Candice found inspiration in her principal – who led both schools – and a school counselor. “They were very encouraging. Even when I wanted to not try my hardest, they instilled in me that I could do anything I wanted to do,” she remembers. “They made me want to be that to someone else.”
Aside from teaching, Candice formed Mann Girls Matter seven years ago. Open to students in grades 3-5, the group was developed to help girls grow their self-esteem. “We talk about ‘mean girl syndrome,’ career aspirations and introduce them to positive female role models,” she explains. The group participates in team-building activities and enjoys field trips and exposure to experiences they don’t receive while living in the inner city of Detroit, like theater and art studios. “It’s been a very positive influence on them. I have to turn girls away, which hurts me.” The group can only serve 30 girls at a time, she notes. “I know we’re having a good time if they’re volunteering to give up recess to stay in and have lunch together.”
As Michigan Teacher of the Year, Candice has been able to use the platform to promote and increase parental and community engagement and advocate for mental health in schools, as well as a culturally relevant education. And when children see themselves in the curriculum, she notes, they’re more likely to perform better academically.
Over the past 12 months, Candice has spoken to colleges, high schools and elementary schools throughout the state and served on different panels. Her opinions have even been sought after by educational program directors from the College of Education at MSU. She has worked with Central Michigan, Wayne State and Oakland universities, and will be a graduation-day speaker at her high school alma mater.
“I always think somewhere in my mind, I wanted to be a teacher. Like most little girls, I liked playing school.”
“I think seeing an African American teacher made me think it’s possible. Representation matters. It makes a difference seeing people who look like you and creates a want in you to do something.”
