Brad Jackson, campus support specialist for Hamilton County Schools, learned the importance of commitment and setting goals from a high school athletic career and service to his country in the United States Marines. The life skills learned in athletics, and his career Jackson now uses each day in his service to children in Hamilton County Schools. His commitment to athletics and work to improve the lives of children has earned Jackson the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association’s (TSSAA) August 2019 TSSAA Distinguished Service award.
“TSSA is proud to recognize Brad Jackson for the commitment he has shown to the values and principles of educational athletics in Tennessee,” TSSA shared in the organization's release announcing the recognition.
Jackson was a high school wrestler for Tyner High School. After graduation, he took his talent on the mat to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where he continued his academic and athletic journey.
After a year in college, Jackson joined the Marines, where he continued to develop his wrestling skills. He became an All-Marine wrestler and earned a tryout for the 1988 U.S. Olympic team as a Greco-Roman wrestler. In the military, Jackson served as a special weapons security officer on the USS Carl Vinson.
Jackson continued his education and became an educator and coach in Hamilton County Schools. He worked with teens at his alma mater, Tyner, East Ridge High School, Ooltewah High School and he is now working with teens across the district in campus support. He works to improve athletic programs across the school system, and he is in charge of secondary schools discipline hearings.
“I was exposed to so many different kinds of men and women in the Marines, and I learned how to deal with different cultures and mentalities,” said Jackson. “It played a part in how I deal with things athletically and the discipline side in how I treat kids. I try to look at it (discipline issues) through their lens.”
Jackson does not just seek to dispense discipline in his current role but also mentor children to make more positive life decisions. He participated in 329 disciplinary cases over the past year, and only three students were repeaters in the process.
“I look at how many kids listened to my advice and counsel about how to set goals and find purpose in life,” Jackson added. “Hopefully, we can help them be better citizens.”
Jackson has three daughters and his wife, Shelly, is an assistant principal at Big Ridge Elementary.