Janelle Middleton

Mrs. Middleton isn't new to campus but will serve in a new capacity for the 2022-2023 school year as a special education classroom teacher! We hope this will allow parents the opportunity to get to know her a little better! 

She has been serving as a resource and inclusion teacher here at East Side for three years. 

Why Education? "I was undeclared my 1st 2 years at junior college. Initially, I had begun college wanting to be in a medical field, but I discovered blood made me squeamish! After sophomore year, as I transferred to Mississippi College to complete my Bachelor's, I prayed about my major. An acquaintance of my mother invited me to come observe her NonCat preschool class. After that day, I knew I'd found my calling! MC had a NCATE certified dual-major program that allowed me to simultaneously certify in both Elementary Ed and Special Education. My heart is for those who are struggling learners, and I'm so glad my job requires me to meet each child on his or her individual level.

I have been "in education" since 2002, but not all of those years have been in the  school system. I taught SpEd for 2 years in Greenbrier. When my 1st daughter was born, I made the decision to be a stay-at-home mom. I stayed home with my 3 girls and helped my husband in his youth ministry at our church. By the time my oldest started preK, we lived in an area that did not have good schools, so I decided to Homeschool my 3 girls for 9 years. It was very rewarding to give them a firm educational foundation to build upon! After moving to Magnolia, they entered the school system one by one. I started subbing full time in 2018, dipping my toe back in the education waters while renewing my licensure. In 2019, I began teaching at Eastside, and I love our team here!

I have so many good memories! One of my students from my 1st year teaching recently contacted me to say that I was her favorite teacher & she still thinks of me. That was 20 years ago! My heart melted! My favorite recent memories are centered around those "lightbulb moments". Those are the times when a struggling learner has a breakthrough and is finally able to achieve that skill that has been so difficult for them. Those are the "teacher highs" that make it all worth it!"

Why East Side? "I love the team here at Eastside! I have been welcomed so warmly & now I hope that I am as welcoming to the newer teachers coming in. I love working with the younger students & feeling that I am helping lay a firm educational foundation."

What do you look forward to most this year? "This year will be a new experience, working in self-contained Kindergarten. I hope to show them love and help them to grow to reach their full potentials."

We are excited to see Mrs. Middleton thrive in her new role! GO PANTHERS!