BY AMBER J. CRAFT
Special to the Monitor
Keystone Heights Junior-Senior High School’s Teacher of the Year, Jan Houston, didn’t take the traditional path to the classroom—and that’s precisely what makes her story so inspiring.
At 41 years old, Houston made the bold decision to return to school, kicking off a journey that would take her a decade to complete. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree magna cum laude—just a fraction of a point away from summa.
“They would not give me that extra fraction of a point,” she recalled with a smile. “That’s a lesson I bring into my own classroom: do the work and earn your grade.”
That belief in accountability, combined with deep compassion, is at the heart of her teaching style.
“I try to be compassionate because some students do not come from a stable environment. Stable can be relevant,” she said. At the same time, she doesn’t lower the bar—she helps her students rise to meet it.
Now in her second year teaching English Language Arts to 7th and 8th graders, Houston started out as an Intensive Reading teacher. But her path to education didn’t even begin in the classroom.
Eight years ago, she joined the Clay County School District, working in the cafeteria. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was a foot in the door.
“I rely on my coworkers,” Houston said, grateful for the community she’s found along the way.
Her transition from cafeteria staff to full-fledged teacher was made possible by the district’s Para to Pro program, which allowed her to pursue a teaching role thanks to her associate’s degree.
So, what does she think makes a great teacher? For Houston, it comes down to three things: “Good strong classroom management, never be afraid to ask for help, and don’t be afraid to read everything.”
Reading, in fact, is one of the biggest challenges she sees in her students.
“They don’t read anymore. Everything is so fast-paced these days,” she said. In response, she’s made independent reading a daily part of her class.
“Their bell work is reading the book they checked out and writing a short paragraph on what they read,” Houston said.
It’s a simple but effective strategy aimed at building both literacy and attention span.
Houston believes deeply in the power of education, but she knows teachers can’t do it alone.
“I would love to see more parents volunteer,” she said. “I think they would find it enjoyable to watch their students learn.”
Before stepping into the classroom, Houston wore many hats. She was a stay-at-home mom, worked for H&R Block for ten years, and even substitute taught for a year and a half while finishing school.
“It took me 10 years to get my bachelor’s degree,” she said. “But I never gave up.”
Born in Gainesville and raised in a small southeast Texas town, Houston now calls Keystone Heights home. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys life’s simpler pleasures—gardening (“although I’ve barely grown a single serving of peas, but I’m trying”), refurbishing furniture, and tending to her handful of chickens.
She credits much of her success to her husband, whom she lovingly describes as “the best guy on the planet” and “my biggest cheerleader.” Together, they plan to build a retirement home in Tennessee. But Jan’s not done learning yet—she’s also considering going back to school to pursue a master’s degree in English or Curriculum Instruction.
Her story reminds us that the road to success isn’t always direct—and that’s okay. What matters is showing up, doing the work, and keeping your passion alive, no matter your age or how long the journey takes.
Jan Houston may have started her career in a school cafeteria, but today, she’s feeding minds. And Keystone Heights is all the better for it.
