Congratulations to Alexandra Ennis for being named our March Certified Employee of the Month!
Ennis has been with JCPS for 13 years, all spent at Powhatan Elementary, where she was a classroom teacher for six years. She transitioned to the media center. Ennis expanded her knowledge by earning a master’s degree in library science and is now the media specialist at the school.
Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter on their family farm. Ennis loves being outdoors, traveling, attending concerts, antiquing, and of course, reading.
Find out more about Ennis in her Spotlight Q&A below.
What inspired you to pursue a career in teaching?
I am a proud product of Johnston County Public Schools. Throughout my K–12 education, I was fortunate to learn from educators who genuinely cared about their students.
Their influence inspired me to pursue a career in education so that I could make the same meaningful impact on students that my teachers made on me. Their dedication always made me feel safe and valued, which allowed me to receive the best education possible.
Many of those educators are now leaders within Johnston County Public Schools. I am proud to know that they continue to guide and support teachers with the same kindness and dedication they demonstrated towards me.
I am forever grateful.
What lessons has the profession taught you about education, students, and yourself?
I am a planner through and through, but what I have learned in this profession is that you have to embrace the unexpected. Education constantly evolves, and I have learned the importance of being flexible and open to change.
Whether it is adapting to new technology, new curriculum expectations, or the needs of each group of students, being willing to adjust and reflect helps ensure that the library remains a supportive and responsive learning space for all students.
As an educator, building strong relationships with your students is paramount. What approaches do you use to create trust and bond with them?
Taking the time to truly get to know students is the foundation of how I build strong relationships with them. I make a conscious effort each day to pause and remember that what students often need most is simply time and attention.
When a student wants to share something with me, I make it a priority to stop and engage with them in a sincere way. Through these conversations, I learn about their interests, day-to-day life, and even their moods, which helps me better understand them as individuals.
It also allows me to make reading connections. For example, if I know a student has just added a new pet to their home, I can recommend a nonfiction book about taking care of animals or a fiction story with characters who have a pet. These personalized connections help students see themselves in books and often spark greater excitement and engagement with reading.
Describe a memorable teaching experience that had a lasting impact on you. What made it special, and what did you learn from it?
Each year, I look forward to the senior graduation walk. There is something special about seeing students I taught and connected with during their elementary years return to share how those experiences made a positive impact on their lives, or even share a funny story like “Hey, do you remember that time you pulled an April Fools joke on our class?”
Seeing these students walk the halls with pride and a sense of optimism for their future fills my heart with joy. It is a moment that reminds me why I chose this profession, and I often find myself feeling like a proud parent as I celebrate their accomplishments. I cry every year (and I'm not a crier!)
Experiences like these have taught me that moments which may seem small or insignificant to me can leave a lasting impression on a student. As teachers, we never truly know the impact we may have, and that realization continues to inspire me in my work each day.
Looking ahead in your career as an educator, what goals would you like to accomplish in the field of education?
In the future, I would like to begin the process of becoming a National Board Certified Teacher. I feel that our county provides excellent resources and support for educators pursuing this certification, and I look forward to taking advantage of those opportunities.
Achieving National Board Certification would allow me to continue growing professionally while strengthening my ability to support and impact staff, students, and my community.
This year’s theme is Forward, with a focus on our North Star - Student Achievement and Academic Growth. How do you plan to carry this theme into your classroom and continue building on your award-winning strategies?
As an elementary school librarian, I plan to carry the theme Forward by continuing to make the library a space that supports student achievement and academic growth through purposeful literacy experiences.
I will build on successful strategies by fostering a strong reading culture through engaging activities, reading challenges, and opportunities such as Battle of the Books that motivate students to explore a variety of texts.
I will also continue collaborating with classroom teachers to support curriculum goals by integrating information literacy, research skills, and digital citizenship into library lessons.
Moving forward, I will continue reflecting on and refining my practice to ensure the library program remains engaging, relevant, and focused on helping every student grow academically.
Thank you for all you do, Mrs. Ennis, JCPS Certified Employee of the Month!