LC Technology and Career Center Spotlight

Jessica Rutland

Lawrence County Technology and Career Center teacher Jessica Rutland says that it is an absolute privilege to be a teacher.
Her professional career started in the Lawrence County School District in August 2004 after graduating from William Carey University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Rutland also holds a master’s degree in education from William Carey University and is currently pursuing becoming a National Board Certified Teacher.
She has taught 7th and 8th graders at Rod Paige Middle School, 5th and 6th graders at Topeka-Tilton Attendance Center, and currently teaches students in Teacher Academy. She is also an adjunct instructor through William Carey University and teaches two dual enrollment classes to Teacher Academy students.
Recently, Rutland was honored to be selected to sit on the Mississippi Teacher Council for Dr. Carey Wright, the state superintendent. Having a seat on this council gives a voice to her fellow teachers in the Lawrence County School District and keeps her informed on current educational issues in our state.
She is a life-long resident of Lawrence County and has been happily married to Will Rutland for 15 years. They have three children, Camille, Chaney, and Jacob; and two grandchildren, Hazel and Everly. Rutland enjoys spending time with her family and living her life for Christ.
Twenty years after graduating from Lawrence County High School, she found her way back to the same campus teaching a course that she absolutely loves. Teacher Academy gives Rutland a chance to focus on why she became a teacher and having a bigger impact on the education profession.
Since attending college, she has had the desire to teach future teachers, and now she has been given the opportunity. She spends her days in the classroom, giving advice and direction from what she has learned over her last 16 years as a teacher. Rutland states that it is an honor to serve her community and state in this manner.
“Being a teacher is very rewarding to me because I have the chance to know and have influence on hearts and minds of those that enter my classroom,” said Rutland. “I take the moments I have within those four walls to share what I know on an educational level and also to show each student how important he/she is to me and others.”