Golden Apple Award: Jensen Floyd, Chickamauga Elementary
CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. (WDEF) – Teaching is in Jensen Floyd’s blood. She followed her father’s footsteps into the classroom, and students at Chickamauga Elementary are so happy that she did. So, we decided to give Mrs. Floyd a well-deserved Golden Apple Award.
Jeff Sykes is the at principal at Chickamauga Elementary School.
He says, “She is a very dedicated teacher each and every day she puts in 100%. And as an administrator I really appreciate that. She cares for the kids. She always remembers why she, what she’s here for which is for the students.”
When asked to describe herself, Mrs. Floyd says,” I wear a few hats. I am mom. I am wife. I’m teacher. I’m daughter. I’m sister. Hopefully, a good friend. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be a teacher from as far back as I can remember that was what I wanted to do, and I think it’s just the joy that I see on kids’ faces when they finally learn something new.”
When asked why she went into teaching, Mrs. Floyd says, “My dad, he was a teacher, and I actually had the privilege of teaching here with him for several years before he retired. He’s a pastor and he went back full-time to the ministry, but he is a teacher and he’s always worked so hard for our family, and I saw the impact that he got to make on student lives and it made me want to do the same.
Derrell O’Neal is Jensen’s dad.
He says, “Oh no, I learned more from her than I ever taught her. I can tell you that I’m very proud of her. The inspiration of anything that I have comes from my three kids. So yeah, I’m so proud of them.”
Mrs. Floyd continues, “Sometimes it’s hard to turn off teacher mode. Sometimes at home I have a daughter who’s in kindergarten now, but I think it makes me a better teacher because I can relate to the kids and I can relate to the parents too because I’ve been there, and I understand how it is on parent side of thing. But I also feel like it helps me to connect with the kids because I understand what kids need.”
Her husband Bradley chips in, “She definitely the most deserving of this. Just even great as a teacher, even better as a mom and a wife. To me she puts in a lot of hard work even at home. Does all the extra stuff in and out of the classroom I mean, I see it at home what she does here with kids that she’s been teaching, 9 to 10 years and she gets better every year.”
Mrs. Floyd concludes, “My personal relationship with Jesus and with my Lord and savior is what really inspires me to be here every day, and to make a difference because I want to show love and kindness, and what he has called me to do. And if I can do that in this school, then I feel like I’m making a difference and I’m doing my part to make to maybe make the world a little better place.”
