Jill Crayne, Teacher of the Year nominee, goes extra miles for SJHS students

Jill Crayne has been nominated by the Stonewall Jackson High School community for the Prince William County Teacher of the Year Award and the Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award. She is a passionate teacher who literally “goes the extra mile” for her students. Every day, she commutes 170 miles to and from Hagerstown, teaching 135 students Computer Information Systems and Advanced Computer Information Systems at SJHS in Manassas.

“I may be biased, but there is no greater profession,” Crayne said. “What could be better than working with kids?” Her commute is “a nice, quiet, stress-less drive. It is ‘my time’ to think and plan for my days.”

Jill Crayne, teacher nominee, is with Cheilain Spartano, 11th grade ACIS student.

This is her 23rd year teaching in Prince William County Schools. She had taught at Brentsville District High and Fred Lynne Middle before teaching business at SJHS. This is her second county teacher of the year nomination. She was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and raised in nearby Meyersdale. Her undergraduate education degree with a concentration in business education was earned at Frostburg State University. She added a master’s degree from GMU. Also, she has worked in the private sector.

Erin Ball, business department colleague, secretly spearheaded the Crayne nomination. Crayne only learned about it when asked to produce a resume. Student and adult letters of recommendation filled the portfolio sent to the county. Her own words make it clear why others decided they should participate in her nomination.

“I live by the saying, ‘If you truly love your job, you will never work a day in your life,’” Crayne said. “Hands down, what I love about my job are the students and how each and every day brings on new beginnings, new experiences, new learning. To be able to see kids nowadays learn new skills and perfect them to the point where they can use them in their college experience or the workplace is truly amazing. The smiles I get from the kids, the respect, the admiration, the fun times, laughs; all of it makes every single day of my teaching career so worth it.” At each school year start, she alleviates behavioral problems by explaining respect goes both ways. 

Rhonda Carper, SJHS assistant principal, whose responsibilities include the business department, lauded Crayne in her letter of recommendation, “She cares about the social-emotional well-being of her students and their ability to make a positive mark in the world. Her warmth, kindness and sense of humor create a classroom climate of acceptance where all students can thrive. I believe this is why her students, by and large, pass the Microsoft Office certifications with flying colors; even those who do not speak English. Instructionally, Ms. Crayne is rock solid. Ms. Crayne has not referred a disciplinary issue to the office in a decade, largely because she does not have them. [Her students] do not want to disappoint her. She is the person who sees their potential and will help them realize it.”

Crayne is department chair and co-sponsors the FBLA. She created the Angel Fund, helping struggling faculty and staff, and worked with Caring for Costis as a colleague’s son was dying of brain cancer.

SJHS is blessed with two nominees, Crayne and Stephanie Nash, an algebra/geometry teacher.