Jessica Scott, 30, works as a Booneville special education teacher at David Barton Elementary. Between raising two daughters and going to school, it is a busy life. For School, “busy” is a normal way of life. She says, “I’ve always done multiple things my whole life, so it’s just second nature and it’s almost weird when I’m not juggling so many things.”

Scott shares her life with two daughters, Presley DeVillier, 8, Parker DeVillier, 6, and her husband Petro “Pete” Kardon, 50. She balances her time between work, after school teacher duties, her daughters’ activities and studying to become an autism specialist through Missouri State University.

Scott enjoyed working with special need students when she was a paraprofessional educator before becoming a teacher. “When I was a para for four years, I just liked it. It was fun. I understand the kids. I am good at it,” Scott said. “Maybe I shouldn’t say that, but it kinda comes easy how to work with them as opposed to working with regular ed (education) students.”