Jazzmyne Townsend, DCPS Teacher of the Year, Impresses and Inspires

Photo via DCPS

On Oct. 3, Jazzmyne Townsend was honored with the DCPS Teacher of the Year award. Townsend, now a K-5 ELA instructional coach at Stanton Elementary, has been teaching since 2010. 

Townsend was surprised with the award at a National Book Month Celebration ceremony at Stanton Elementary. Reflecting on the moment, she explained, “I knew that I was a finalist for the award but did not know that I had actually won… I was overcome with emotions, joy, excitement, and lots of happy tears.” The award, presented by Mayor Muriel Bowser, included a $7,500 cash prize.

The honor, awarded by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), is given to a teacher making exceptional contributions to student success both inside and outside the classroom. Mayor Bowser, Interim State Superintendent Dr. Antoinette S. Mitchell, and DCPS Chancellor Lewis D. Ferebee presented Townsend with the award at the ceremony.

Winners of DCPS excellence in teaching awards, like Townsend, are honored annually at the Standing Ovation for DC Public Schools. No Walls faculty has been honored at the event since 2020, when principal Syliva Isaac received recognition. Considering the context of high esteem in which Walls faculty are generally held within  DCPS, Townsend’s award may seem all the more impressive. 

In addition to her teaching career, which included positions at Randle Highlands Elementary and Friendship Public Charter School, Townsend founded “My Sister’s Keeper” at Randle Highlands. This program supports girls in building friendships, growing in confidence, and developing life skills. Her work has helped girls in and out of the classroom, fostering a strong sense of community.

Townsend relishes her time in the classroom, continually building relationships with students. “Over the last 16 years,” she said, “I have had some of the most amazing and rewarding experiences being a classroom teacher... and am honored to have built relationships with the most amazing students and their families.”

Her teaching style prioritizes individual connections with students and staff, focusing on small-group instruction and supporting her colleagues. She notes that she also enjoys engaging with students informally, such as at recess.

Ms. Townsend has made an exceptional impact at every school where she’s taught, both within DCPS and beyond, as her dedication to meeting students' needs is reflected in programs like “My Sister’s Keeper.” She credits her success to the students and colleagues around her, saying, “I get to learn with the best students in the world.” She particularly values the Stanton community, describing it as a place where students and teachers thrive together.

In addition to teaching, Townsend is also the author of the children’s book Hattie Leads the Way, inspired by the life of Harriet Tubman. The book introduces young Hattie, a character based on Tubman, who learns resilience and courage in the face of challenges. When creating this story, Townsend aimed to present Tubman’s legacy in a way that young students could understand and relate to. Inspired by Townsend’s example and writing process, two of her students have since published books of their own.

Walls students interested in nominating a teacher or faculty member who has left a similar impression on them for an Excellence in Teaching award can do so via the DC Ed Fund website.