MEd Perspective: Jill Wall, '14, '24

JILL WALL, ’14, ’24
Grade 3 Teacher, Lakota Public Schools

A two-time honoree as Nelson County Teacher of the Year, Jill Wall graduated from Mary in 2014 with a degree in elementary education. Today, she and her husband Cory live and farm near Lakota with their two children. She also earned her MEd through the Rural School Leadership Institute in the 2024 cohort.

“I truly enjoyed getting to work with fellow educators from across the state as well as the great professors. One of my favorite parts was the two weeks on campus during the summer. It was a challenge, as I have
two kids and my husband was busy farming — but the campus always brings a sense of peace and calm.

“Being able to complete the degree mostly online made it possible for me to fulfill my commitments at home and work. Being in a small cohort was beneficial as we got to know one another fairly well and became a great support system for each other.

“Pursuing my master’s degree through RSLI, I hoped to polish my skills and prepare to take on a leadership role in my school if that opportunity were to arise. … This program helped me to understand the district from another lens. I have great respect for the difficult decisions and tasks our administrators face daily to ensure the school is running most effectively.”

Pictured above: Wall assists a student with a lesson illustrating how dinosaur tracks can reveal how fast the animal was moving.