Special Needs High School Math Teacher, Santa Maria, Sal, Cape Verde

‘I am not a teacher, but an awakener.’, said Robert Frost. And our WOW Woman is that and more. Ms. Jayme Caldwell is a caring and thoughtful professional, working with special needs kids and their families, doing God’s work teaching mathematics. Jayme is a perseverer with an additional layer of superhuman dedication demonstrated during the COVID-related shift to the online teaching. Jayme is a WOW Woman because she awakens in her students reasoning and abstract skills, elevating creativity and problem-solving abilities. This all surely requires an unbelievable amount of patience and tenacity, especially because, well, teenagers.

As many WOW Woman meetings go, my run in with Ms. Jayme Caldwell was an interesting one and provided an insight into her character right away. Jayme decided to vacation off the beaten path. She travelled to Cape Verde, a small country off the coast of Senegal, Africa. The problem was, the airline that brought her to Africa from Washington DC, was refusing to take her back, cancelling flights and informing the passengers of the delays via a shady Gmail account. I was booked on Jayme’s flight as well. As we all schlepped back to the hotel, I was happy to spend time with Jayme and her friend Ms. Jaleshea Cobbs (a fellow teacher in DC and a featured WOW Woman).

Several days later, as our way back to North America was sorted in a round about way, I was grateful for meeting these incredible women. There is hope for the future generations if these women are at the helm as educators.

1. Name

Jayme Caldwell.

2. Where is your hometown?

Wooster, Ohio; currently living and working in Washington, DC, USA.

3. What is your profession/career/title/self-label/designation? What does your average day look like?

I am a high school special education teacher who focuses on teaching math - Algebra II and Geometry. On an average day my responsibilities include any (or all haha) of the following: co-planning for my general education courses, teaching sections of Algebra II intervention and general education Geometry, writing Individual Education Plans (IEP) for students with disabilities, holding meetings for students and families, meeting with students one-on-one, progress monitoring, 

4. What did you study in school?

My undergrad is in Sociology and my master's degree is in Special Education: Learning Disabilities

5. What was the journey like to get where you are (in life and career-wise)?

I graduated from a very small high school in Ohio, there were about 92 in my graduating class. My hometown is a very quiet community and many people are farmers. I grew up in a log cabin in the woods, down the street from the "home farm" - the farm where my grandma grew up and raised my mother and her siblings, and where my uncle now lives and farms. During school I had multiple interests...I did everything from 4-H - showing cows and rabbits at the county fair - to playing basketball for my high school. When I graduated from high school, it was a goal of mine to play basketball in college. I got accepted into my top two choices - The Ohio State University (OSU) and Grove City College. I was excited about the experience I could have at school like OSU - football, living in a city, so many people to meet - but I would not be able to play basketball at the Division I level. After a lot of pros and cons lists, I decided that I needed to prove to myself that I could play at the college level so I chose to attend the smaller school, Grove City College in Pennsylvania.

I never wanted to be a teacher. I knew I wanted to work with people and students but I did not enjoy the education courses I took my freshman year of college. I remember saying to a friend that if I would be a teacher it was going to be through some alternative route which is exactly what ended up happening.

I started out on the "education track" in college, both my parents are teachers so it seemed like the obvious route. But I hated it! The classes felt like busy work (likely because they were geared more towards elementary ed students) but I did not enjoy it at all. I ended up majoring in Sociology with exercise science and family studies minors and no idea where it would lead me. I got an internship working for a non-profit in Richmond, VA where I taught two classes at the private school and worked with students in mentoring/tutoring/coaching capacity. Many of the students I taught had a disability which I felt ill-equipped to support. This is what led me to Washington, DC to get my teaching license through the DC Teaching Fellows, then my masters in Special Education: Learning Disabilities from American University. I had spent a few summers in DC during college which made the decision to go to DC for the fellows program easy.

My goal as a special educator is to give all students successful academic experiences. I have found that by the time students get to me in high school they are so discouraged by their lack of success they are ready to give up. I try my best to equip them with the tools they need to have success and build their confidence. I believe all students deserve this opportunity in their educational experience.

6. How is your life different from what you pictured at 20?

I truly didn’t know what my life would end up looking like – all I knew was that I wanted to work with people, preferably students and their families. I could have seen myself working for a non-profit, in social work, or teaching. So, teaching is not far off from what I was considering, although, I would not have said I would be teaching special education. I am extremely grateful for that fun, unexpected twist.

7. Was there a time when life knocked you down or out and how did you get back up on your feet?

In college, my family experienced some hard situations. Through the support of my community and my belief in God, I was able to support my family and I learned to trust that whatever came would be for my good.

9. Knowing what we know now in a current political climate, can women be "all that we can be" in today's world? What is the way forward, as you see it, for "feminist values"?

We must support each other and continue to fight against the systems that are built to oppress. As a white woman, it is even more important that use my position to give voice to the voiceless.

10. Where in the world do you feel “tallest” (i.e. where is your happy place)?

Among community (friends, family, neighbors, students and their families).

11. What extra-curricular activities/hobbies are you most proud of? Why?

I grew up playing sports and still really love to be active. I often train for triathlons or play basketball at a local park during the summer.

Something new I have tried is painting. I have been taking watercolor paint classes for the past year. I have loved starting this new hobby as it is something completely different to what I am used to. It’s a new escape and a new form of expression. It has been life-giving.

12. What do you want to be when you grow up? Future goals/challenges?

I could see myself teaching long-term but personally I would love the experience of teaching in a different country. I could also see myself in some sort of administrative role within special education as a coordinator or a director of programs. That will take a few more years of experience.

13. What fears are you still hoping to overcome?

Not sure it's a fear but I am intimidated to travel solo. I love traveling so much! But the thought of having an experience alone seems like waste. I had finally decided just to go for it and planned a solo trip to Peru for this spring but it got cancelled due to COVID restrictions. My goal is by the end of the year to have a solo trip planned.

15. What/Who inspires you?

• Men and women who passionately fight for justice and against injustice.

• Those who speak out when things are not right.

• Seeing single women travelling the world, thriving in their careers and successfully living life to the fullest.

• When a student understands a new concept – that “got it” moment.

16. What are you hopeful about?

“Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

17. What are some ingredients to a good life?

The gospel, community and loving your neighbor. As well as purposeful work paired with rest.

18. What are (at least) three qualities you most love about yourself and why?

I am passionate, independent and adventurous.

20. What are you reading now? (what books do you gift most and what are your favorite reads?)

I am currently reading Why Don’t Students Like School? by Daniel Willingham; The War Against All Puerto-Ricans by Nelson Antonio Denis; and (listening to) How to be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X Kendi.

Book I gift the most is Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali (a book that helped shape my perspective).

21. Who is a WOW WOMAN in your world who inspires you and why?

A WOW WOMAN that inspires me is my mom. In the face of much adversity, she remains dedicated to her family in ways I can only hope to be one day. The way she selflessly loves and cares for the people around her is something to emulate. We are very different in personalities but I hope I am able to love and serve those around me as she does.

22. Where can others find you/your work (links to websites, blogs, etc.)?

Not currently active on social media but my personal Instagram is: @jayme.caldwell and I do have a teacher Instagram @caldwell_at_ana that is used for my students.