Candace Jackson

Candace Jackson

Fellowship Placement: Library of Congress
Hometown: Houston, Texas

Candace Jackson has taught mathematics for 17 years, most recently at Impact Leadership Academy, a grades 1-8, all boys choice school in Houston, Texas. As a Multi-Classroom Leader and former mechanical engineer, Candace seamlessly bridges STEM and transformative classroom instruction, mentoring teachers and students alike through coaching, professional and personal development, and leading by example. Candace is also a state-, district-, and campus-level presenter of instructional and classroom management strategies as well as a district- and state-level curriculum and assessment reviewer.

Candace holds a M. Ed in Educational Administration from Prairie View A&M University and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Lamar University. After several Fortune 500 internships, Candace began her professional journey as a Manufacturing Engineer at Owens Corning, allowing her to develop robust analytical and problem-solving skills that she has since leveraged to inspire change in the mathematics education sector. Over the years, she has excelled in a variety of roles—including teacher, interventionist, specialist, coach, mentor, and STEM camp facilitator—each underscoring her commitment to mentoring educators and students and enhancing student achievement. A true lifelong learner, Candace is also currently pursuing her principal certification.

Throughout her career, Candace has earned numerous accolades for her innovative instruction and contributions. She successfully secured a $5,000 STEM grant from the American Association of University Women for her “UnHidden Figures: Unveiling the Women of STEM” project and has been recognized four different times as Teacher of the Year. Most recently, she was the sole educator featured in the RAND publication “Math Teachers’ Efforts Can Really Add Up.” In addition to her classroom successes, Candace’s leadership extends to coaching district-wide professional development initiatives and serving as a pivotal member of Instructional Leadership Teams, where her data-driven instructional strategies have consistently led to significant improvements in standardized testing outcomes. Also underscoring her keen ability to relate, motivate, and inspire individual and team growth, she coached and led a district-winning cross-country team in only her second year as an athletic coach.

Candace Jackson is a dynamic and accomplished educational leader and has earned numerous accolades for her leadership and innovative contributions throughout her career. A staunch advocate for equity and the upliftment of all students, especially those traditionally underserved, Candace continues to inspire both educators and students alike, solidifying her reputation as a respected and forward-thinking force in STEM education reform.