By GRAYSON LEE CAVALIERE
Rutherford County Schools
Jen McCrery is a special education interventionist at Smyrna Middle School, and even just reading this interview, it’s obvious just how much she cares about her students.
McCrery also didn’t have a traditional start to education. She previously worked in nursing and even edited copy for a radio station.
In this Q&A, McCrery explains how the bug for education hit, and specifically why she developed a passion for special education.
Q: Tell me about your background.
A: My name is Jen McCrery, and I’m the special education interventionist at Smyrna Middle School. This is my 11th year teaching. I started out teaching fifth grade for (Murfreesboro) City Schools. At that point I determined I really wanted to be a special education teacher. I got my master’s in special education and then came over here (to Smyrna Middle School).
Q: Did you always want to be a teacher?
A: I did a few things before education. I worked in a nursing home as a CNA, and I was responsible for a lot of the care of the patients. I also worked for a radio station. It’s really funny how I ended up teaching. You know, my husband and I got married. I was 19 and he was 20. I didn’t want kids. We were at this really small church and this girl who was teaching the preschool class was going on vacation and no one would take over the class. So, I said because it’s scripted, I’ll do it. I absolutely fell in love with the kids and ended up teaching for the rest of the time they were there.
Q: Why special education?
A: I loved watching my students light up when I was teaching fifth grade. Prior to that, when I was in high school, I volunteered for four years and all four years in the special education room. Linda Strain was the teacher that was there, and she really inspired me to be inclusive and caring for other people who had struggles. That time was very foundational for who I am today as a teacher.
Q: What do you love most about working with the students?
A: The students – they're really really fun to watch engage with things that are new. Watching them take joy and pride in the things they are doing ... the kids that are in the structured setting are genuinely just loving individuals and it is a lot of fun to be around them. When I was in the general population, general education students, just like these kids, had a really fun sense of humor. Middle school is my favorite. They’re so quirky. Especially seventh grade. Seventh grade is my absolute favorite.
Q: What does an interventionist do?
A: So, I look at the areas of need in their learning. If a student is struggling in reading, for example, if they’re missing information in decoding, I’m going to focus my instruction on that and use a lot of Orton Gillingham type strategies to help them learn. I basically find those gaps in their learning and plug those.
Q: What keeps you motivated to return every day?
A: It’s the idea of: how can I support kids? For the rest of the week, how can I make things easier for them? Better for them? How can I support them so they’re able to become successful adults? You know I see my job as a privilege. I get to help those kids out and support them and teach them. So that’s the mindset. Not, I have to do this... I get to do this! I genuinely love what I do.
Q: What do you like to do outside of your work here?
A: I’m a follower of Jesus. I love spending time with my church family, and I love being outside. I love hiking, traveling ... I love my kids. We spend a lot of time together playing games.
Q: Any plans for the summer?
A: I am working on my dissertation. I will graduate in August with my doctorate in education and leadership, so that’s what I’m doing this summer. My daughter is getting married! She’ll be married at the end of the month. She'll be off on her honeymoon, so I’ll be caring for my grandson, which I’m really excited about.
Q: How should people remember you if you ever decide to retire?
A: I want people to think: She was a good support. She was there when I needed her.