Lifelong Learner: Jayne Everson, MBE'15

For Jayne Everson, the decision to apply to the Ed School was based on the simplest of notions: She wanted to learn. Over the course of her year in the Mind, Brain, and Education (MBE) Program, she certainly did that, but that doesn’t mean that she’s met all her goals.

“I think my goal is still to learn, and my time here has increased that thirst to learn,” says the Kentucky native.

And, while Everson’s learning might still be a work in progress, she is prepared to return to her math classroom and put what she has learned so far to the test.

“It has been a pleasure to have Jayne in the program. Her peers respect her for her profound thinking, not just on how to improve math education, but education in general,” says Professor Catherine Elgin, acting director of MBE. “Her enthusiasm is infectious, and her presence here has enriched the learning experience of the cohort as a whole. In addition to her intellect, we have been impressed by her kindness, humility, and unfailing willingness to jump in when help was needed. She is most deserving of this honor.”

Upon learning that she had been honored with the Intellectual Contribution/Faculty Tribute Award for MBE, Everson answered some questions about her time at the Ed School and beyond.

What is something that you learned at HGSE that you will take with you throughout your career in education? This is a forest for the trees question. I am in the forest, and I have been profoundly changed. I can’t see the tallest tree to tell you.

Is there any professor or class that significantly shaped your experience at the Ed School? Every class I took shaped me. I think Karen Brennan’s Designing for Learning by Creating and Gigi Luk’s Roadmap to Empirical Research are fighting a duel for the day-to-day impact on my thought processes. Karen’s class opened my mind to the world of design and creating in the learning process, and Gigi’s course really gave me all the tools I needed to wisely consume (and conduct) research.

How did you stay inspired throughout the year? Have you met my classmates? There’s no way to hang out with these splendid people and not be inspired.

Any special study spots on campus (or off)? I often enjoyed the synergy in the Launchpad on the third floor. But, when it is nose to the grindstone, there is no place like the silent floor of the Lawbrary (Law Library) on the weekends. 

What will you change in education and why? Agency. I want all learners to know that they are capable of changing the world. I want them to know that they are responsible for their own education, and I want them to feel empowered to chase after what they want to learn.

Read about the other recipients of this year's Intellectual Contribution/Faculty Tribute Award.