Teacher in Mississippi killed by drunk driver

A Mississippi teacher was killed Saturday in a car crash caused by a suspected drunk driver. Tyra Small-Jackson, 48, was pronounced dead at the scene on I-55 in Madison County.

Another vehicle was traveling the wrong way and struck the car Jackson was driving near the Gluckstadt exit. Jordan Sullivan, 32, of Louisville, was charged with drunken driving.

The Canton Public School District released the following statement:

On behalf of the Canton Public School District Board of Trustees, Superintendent Gary Hannah, faculty and staff, and the entire student body, we extend our condolences and deepest sympathy to the family of Ms. Tyra Small-Jackson. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.

Ms. Small-Jackson was a loving and dedicated educator in the district who will be greatly missed by our community. She was selected as Nichols Middle School’s 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year and received numerous awards during her tenure with the district. Her wonderful spirit will live on forever in the memory and in the hearts and minds of the countless lives she touched.

We are grateful for Ms. Small-Jackson’s years of outstanding service to the Canton School District. She dedicated her life to making her students feel loved and prepared for the next level. She will be greatly missed.

In honor of her selection as Teacher of the Year at Nichols Middle School, she submitted the following biography.

Tyra Small-Jackson is a 23-year-old teacher and native Cantonian who walked these halls as a Mighty Tiger. She was Miss Sophomore, Miss BSAP, yearbook staff member, and editor of the Tiger Tribune. She was a member of the Canton High Gospel Soul Children, founded by the great Randolph Watson. Membership in the choir afforded her the opportunity to travel within and outside of the state, compete in choir competitions, record music professionally, and also sing in the movie “The Jury.” Mrs. Jackson was also a member of Mu Alpha Theta and the National Honor Society. While at Mu Alpha Theta, Mrs. Jackson was able to compete in math competitions at the local and state levels. She graduated in the top three of her class in 1994.

After graduating from high school, Ms. Jackson attended Belhaven College, later renamed Belhaven University. While in college, she was a member of the BSA, the Black Student Association, a Scholar in Resident, and a recipient of the Assemblyman Bennie G. Thompson Scholarship. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education.

Wanting to give back to her community, Ms. Jackson began her teaching career at Nichols Middle School under the tutelage of Mr. Cleveland Anderson. She taught 7th grade reading, 5th and 6th grade English as a Second Language, and 8th grade Computer Discovery, ICT II, ​​and Cyber ​​Foundations II. She worked at Porter Middle School and briefly at Canton Elementary. During her tenure, she served on several committees and received numerous awards.

While teaching, Ms. Jackson continued her education at THEE Jackson State University where she earned a Master’s degree in Elementary Education.

Mrs. Jackson’s philosophy on education is that all children are unique and need a stimulating learning environment in which they can grow physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. This has always been her desire.

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