smiddleton@jacksonprep.net Jr. High 769-257-4362

I came to Jackson Prep in 1985 after convincing Mr. Howell, Dr. Roberts, and Susan Lindsay (THE BIG THREE) that I was the best person for the job of 8th grade United States history teacher. I must say that convincing this group was not an easy task; however, it was July and they were fairly desperate, but not as desperate as I. My life was well…let's say…quite scary. I was on my own with three children, ages 13, 10, and 9 to rear by myself or so I thought. I knew not one soul in Jackson, was living in a very small condo, and was driving a lime green cadillac referred to as the "mafia" mobile by Dr. Roberts. The real fun began at the first ballgame when I ran into the back of a Jackson Prep parent at the turn light into the school and wrecked his Mercedes and my "mafia" mobile. It was not long after that that I began to realize how fortunate I had been to become a teacher at Jackson Prep. Of course Mr. Howell did need a history teacher, a basketball coach, and a cheerleader sponsor…two out of three ain't bad; but this school became my family. They not only took care of me monetarily, but emotionally and physically too. The teachers eventually became surrogate parents to my own children, whether they wanted to or not, and might I add most did not. My children showed absolutely no favoritism they used every person on staff…even Bobby Joe Spann was loaning them lunch money…you get the picture. When my last two children graduated from Jackson Prep, a teacher stood up in the final faculty and asked if there were any more Middletons!

I graduated from the University of Southern, and I choose not to disclose the year of graduation. I have taken graduate work at Mississippi College, USM,, UM, and Jackson State. I have been teaching school for about twenty-five years, nineteen at Jackson Prep. Truly there is not another school that compares to Jackson Prep as an employer…I've taught in many schools over the years.

I have been teaching at Jackson Prep for nineteen years. I began as a U. S. History teacher and Jr. High cheerleader sponsor. I am presently teaching World Geography to seventh graders and sponsor for the Pep Squad. In my nineteen years at Prep, I have taught Mississippi History, Civics and Law, World History, Math, and even a fitness class for girls. My first and foremost concern is to make my student's lives as enjoyable as I can while teaching them as much as I can. To me teaching is a calling; it's definitely not for everyone. I hope that every day in the classroom I can make a difference in some child's life for the better.
My mother told me when I first began teaching, that if your students know that you care about them and want to help them in all facets of their education, they will care about you and try to please you. I have found that my mother was right.

I always have a project, as I call it, going on. I enjoy trying to paint, both artistically and my house. I forgot to mention that when I had the lime green cadillac, I also was the proud owner of a lime green house. My children and I painted the entire exterior of our house, with the help of Bobby Joe Spann and the
enormously tall ladder used in the "old gym" at Jackson Prep. I thoroughly enjoy interior work. I have knocked out walls and built walls. I will try anything at least once. Give me some fabric, a sewing machine, a staple gun, and Arlene's fabric glue and watch out. I will cover everything in sight.

I am also a lawn maintenance crew all wrapped up into one. I learned a long time ago that when there are three teenagers living in your home, with the total reaching ten or more at times, counting friends, the only
place there was peace and quiet was in the yard. I could actually manicure it and it would last for a week, not the same situation inside the house…I called the laundry room "the dungeon"…can you guess why?

I hope that your child will be as happy and content as I am with Jackson Prep. It doesn't get any better than this.