Jackie Verburg with Governor Ron DeSantis. [Kelly Harris]
By Nile Fortner | New Pelican Writer
Oakland Park – As a child, Jackie Verburg sat cross-legged on the floor cradling her favorite doll and imagining being a teacher. She saw a classroom filled with eager faces, the hum of curious minds – and her future.
“I used to pretend I was a teacher with my dolls,” said Verburg. “I always wanted to be a teacher, and to see how far I’ve come while helping others is wonderful.”
Once she had her own children, she volunteered at her son’s pre-k class to help the students with spelling. “I loved being in the classroom,” said Verburg. “But everyone tells you there’s more money elsewhere, and in college I took a different route.”
She worked in retail and banking, but when she became a school volunteer she told her husband her true calling was teaching, and in her 30s she went back to college. Verburg has now been a full-time teacher for 24 years. She taught first grade for 10 years, and eventually became a fun and quirky science teacher for fifth and sixth graders.
Since 2002, she’s been an educator at St. Mark’s Episcopal School and was recently recognized by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis with the Hispanic Heritage Excellence in Education Award. The award was created to highlight the achievements of educators who significantly impact the Hispanic community, often going above and beyond to support student success and inclusivity. It acknowledges those who inspire students while fostering pride in Hispanic heritage.
“The moment felt unreal. Someone in my faculty thought it was something I deserve, and I’m always striving to do better, but to be recognized is very special,” said Verburg. We got to go to Tallahassee at the governor’s mansion. It’s been nothing but people saying congratulations, well-deserved, and good job. Everyone is so happy.”
Continued Verburg, “The kids always say I’m funny and quirky. I try to give them a lot of information, but in a hands-on, fun approach.” She believes her fun approach is what makes her memorable to her students. “I think that lets the subject area really sink in, to the point where they come back and remember the material because they had fun doing that,” said Verburg. “I try to be very lively when I explain things.”
She also enjoys spending time with her daughter who recently married. She also enjoys training other teachers at the school’s Project Lead The Way.
“I don’t aspire to be a principal or anything like that. I love what I do, and to be recognized for what I love is amazing,” said Verburg. “Whether it’s science or a particular grade level, I see myself as a classroom teacher. That’s how I saw myself back then and it’s how I’ll always see myself.”
