Dr. Carrie Jones, 2024 Gifted Education Fellowship winner

Dr. Carrie Jones is the 2024 American Association of Chemistry Teachers’ Teacher of the Year. Her creative approach brings science to life in the classroom, where eighth graders at Dillard Drive Magnet Middle School in Raleigh, N.C., enjoy projects such as the Kitchen Chemistry Club and the STEM Jewelry Club. When she’s not inspiring young minds, Jones serves as the Middle-Level Director for the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and teaches at East Carolina University.

Jones’ curriculum centers on sustainable development goals, enabling her to accommodate a diverse student body, including English-as-a-second-language learners and students qualifying for free and reduced lunch.

Recognizing the importance of student-driven professional development, particularly for academically or intellectually gifted students, Jones is pursuing a master’s program to gain deeper insights into meeting the unique needs of academically or intellectually gifted students who often go unnoticed in the classroom due to their ability to mask boredom and avoid disciplinary issues. Her goal is for all her students to reach their full potential. Her research on emotional intelligence’s impact on those students’ development is a testament to her innovative approach to education. She firmly believes that by nurturing emotional intelligence skills, academically or intellectually gifted students can excel in professions that involve helping others, such as becoming doctors or teachers.

Jones aims to promote student growth by emphasizing the importance of both intellectual and emotional development. She envisions a teaching and learning environment where students are empowered to think critically and empathize with others, ultimately creating a more enriching educational experience for all.

The Foundation’s Gifted Education Fellowship was created to assist outstanding educators in acquiring a graduate degree in gifted education or a closely related field from an accredited institution of higher education.