Tobi Jackson is a parent, educator, and administrator. A lifelong resident of East Fort Worth who attended: Eastern Hills Elementary, Meadowbrook Middle School, and proudly graduated in 1978 from Eastern Hills High School. This FWISD education prepared her for a successful transition into college, where she received a B.A. from The University of Texas at Arlington and an M.S. from the Univeristy of North Texas. She and her husband Bruce have two daughters, ages 12 and 8. Their eldest will begin 7th grade this Fall in the FWISD.
Public service and volunteerism are core components of The Jackson Family. Mrs. Jackson's husband Bruce served as General Contractor of HOPE FARM on E. Ramsey Avenue and has an extensive work history with Habitat for Humanity, where he directed the Arlington Rangers Ballpark Build for nearly a decade. As well, their daughters will soon be the youngest members of The City of Fort Worth Adopt a Park Program. As lifelong stewards of Eastern Hills Park, they initiated the adoption after observing Jay Johnson's example at Eugene McCray Park. This will not be the girls first foray into community service, as at the ages of four and eight, they worked to develop a program with Mission Arlington entitled, "Shoes to Share" which included close family friends, Gary, Karen, and Gordon Smith along with Danny, Grace, and Lauren Smedley. This group fulfilled Mission Arlington founder, Ms. Tillie Burgin's greatest need, shoes. The "Shoes to Share" program provided Mission Arlington with over 1000 pair of shoes within an eight month time period. The program is still unprecedented.
Ms. Jackson was also an appointed member of the City of Fort Worth Parks and Community Services Advisory Board, where she proudly served three years under Councilwoman Becky Haskin and Councilman Danny Scarth. Both Council members and Ms. Jackson worked tirelessly to coordinate the completion of Eastern Hills Park, which notably did not lose one Post Oak tree during the construction of the walking trails.
As an education advocate, Ms. Jackson's focus is currently the adult student. She serves a population of 160 students who are concommitantly obtaining their GED along with their desired professional training. Approximately 90% of her students are termed "Opportunity Youth". Her professional experience in education includes: administrator, faculty member, liaison and counselor in public, private, and corporate arenas.
Ms. Jackson's area of interest in education is The Economic Burden of Opportunity Youth. Those students who drop out of school and are aged 16-24. In 2012, The United States of America has 17% or 6.7 million "Opportunity Youth", capable of producing a $4.7 trillion full lifetime burden, which is approximately 33% of the current Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This compelling data which was published by Dr. Levin in January 2012, certainly demonstrates the importance education plays on all aspects of a community and it's ability to thrive.
Her current professional focus is: re-engaging our "Opportunity Youth" in school, work, and civic life.
Activities
City of Fort Worth Parks and Community Services Advisory Board, member
Log Cabin Village Park Advisory Board, member
Van Zandt Cottage Park Board Liaison
“Shoes to Share” Co-director and Founder
Appointed to the Community Justice Council for the Community Supervision and Corrections Department of Tarrant County (CSCD) effective January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2013
Board and Community Service
- Women's Policy Forum Education Committee - June 2012 - Current
- TIF Board of Fort Worth – FWISD Appointee Riverfront (District 13) and Woodhaven (District 6)
- FWISD Board of Trustees, Gas and Oil Committee Chair April 2011 to present
- Tarrant County Community Justice Council - January 2011
- The Oakridge School – Steering Committee 2010 to present Focus: Academic and Athletic Development
- Log Cabin Village Park Board Liaison– 2009-2010
- Van Zandt Cottage Park Board Liaison – 2009-2010
- Friends of the Herd Park Board Liaison – 2008-2009
- Arlington Alliance Volunteer Program Award for SHOES TO SHARE 2008
- Mayfest Park Board Liaison – 2007-2008
- City of Fort Worth Parks and Community Services Advisory Board (City Council Appointed 2006-2010)
- St. Alban’s Episcopal School Executive Committee Board of Trustees 2006-2007
- Co-Founder of “Shoes to Share” joint project with Mission Arlington 2006-2008
- Fort Worth Public Art Voting Member 2005
- St. Alban’s Episcopal School – Founding Member and Chair of Grant Committee- 2005 – 2007
- Harris Methodist Hospital Health Exchange Executive Committee 2003-2004
- Harris Methodist Hospital Health Exchange Board 2001-2004
- The Warm Place- Fort Worth-Secured multiple donations thru Bristol Myers-Squibb 1996
- American Heart Association- State Task Force – Jump Rope for Heart 1983
- American Heart Association – Tarrant Northeast Board 1983
Recent Student/School Accomplishments:
- A $20,000 grant awarded through The Morris Foundation and the Fort Worth ISD Education Excellence Fund of The Community Fund of North Texas will underwrite the cost of employing "G-Force Mentors" at Eastern Hills High School's GO Center.
- Eastern Hills Elementary School established a new partnership with Cigna. The Cigna Mobile Learning Lab visited the school on February 13, 2013.
- Business owners, community leaders and members of the public toured Eastern Hills and Polytechnic High Schools in February 2013. Participants learned about the Gold Seal Programs of Choice at each campus.
- The JPMorgan Chase Foundation awards a $75,000 grant to underwrite math and literacy nights at Polytechnic High School, Meadowbrook Middle School and S.S. Dillow Elementary School.
- The Poly Herald Trumpets were seen for the first time in years at the 2013 Fort Worth Stock Show Parade with the Poly 100 Marching Band.
- The Environmental Club of Polytechnic High School opened a new community garden.
- The Fort Worth After School programs at William James Middle School and Polytechnic High School were awarded grants from the Afterschool Centers on Education and Texas Education Agency.
- Sagamore Hill Elementary School won the city-wide "FitWorthKids" Challenge. The contest was part of Mayor Betsy Price's FitWorth Healthy City Initiative, launched in September 2012.