Jalynn Jones
What is your role with The Center and what are you most excited about?
I am the Director of Professional Learning. I am excited to be a part of the team and looking forward to supporting districts in enhancing their knowledge base, sharpening the skills in their toolboxes, and implementing best practices in the area of literacy.
What is your background?
I am a native of Baton Rouge, LA, and a graduate of Scotlandville Magnet High School. A multi-year alumnus of Southern University and A&M College, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology in 2004. I continued my academic studies and earned a Master of Education with a concentration in Elementary Curriculum and Instruction in 2008 and a second Master of Education with a concentration in Reading in 2021.
I began my teaching career as a Pre-Kindergarten teacher in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System, serving in this capacity for nine (9) years. I have also served as a K-12 curriculum content specialist. In this role, I served as a facilitator of professional learning, middle school instructional specialist, and project director. Jalynn has held several positions in education administration, including, Director of Data, Accountability & Assessment at New Beginnings Schools (New Orleans, LA) and Assistant Principal Grades 6-12 at Southern University Laboratory School (Baton Rouge, LA). In 2017 I accepted the role of Account Executive with Scholastic Education and served as a partner to school districts, community organizations, library systems, and other public agencies in Louisiana and Mississippi. In this capacity, I supported these entities with literacy resources for classroom instruction, professional learning, and consultative services for family and community engagement. Most recently I served as the Regional Superintendent of Democracy Prep Charter School in Baton Rouge.
What is your favorite childhood book or literacy memory?
My favorite literacy memory is spending Sunday afternoons with my dad at the library. He is a librarian and would work every other Sunday. I would go to work with him and lose myself in Babysitters Club, Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, etc. I was a huge fan of novel series.
Flashback to when you were 10 years old, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Ironically, I wanted to be a teacher when I was 10.
If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?
On the beach!
What passion projects do you have outside of work?
I still enjoy getting lost inside the pages of a good book and cooking for my family. I am also an avid crafter. I love HGTV, DIY projects, and all things CRICUT and Silhouette. I enjoy serving the community through my church and various organizations with which I am affiliated.