In mid-February, Jamaal Jones was at home when something wasn't right. Though he initially insisted, "I'm okay. No, ain't nothing wrong with me," those around him knew better. Jones couldn't see the people speaking to him and was quickly rushed to the hospital where doctors confirmed he had suffered a stroke.

Now, the 48-year-old Cairo Elementary School special education teacher is in recovery, using a walker and preparing to begin therapy. Despite these challenges, when Jones speaks by phone about his students and his passion for teaching, his voice reveals no hint of the medical emergency that temporarily sidelined him.

"I miss them," Jones says of his students. "I'm trying to get back to them, and I want them to try their best."

For the past five years, Jones has served Cairo Elementary as a special education teacher, working with students from kindergarten through sixth grade. His day revolves around a carefully structured schedule that accommodates the specific needs outlined in each student's Individualized Education Program (IEP).

"I have to go by how many minutes that student actually gets in the IEP," Jones explains. He works with students in small groups—kindergartners alone, first and second graders together, third and fourth graders together, and fifth and sixth graders as another group. Throughout the day, Jones balances direct instruction with administrative responsibilities like writing IEPs and conducting meetings with parents and staff.

The number of students he serves fluctuates throughout the year, ranging from as many as 35 to as few as 12. Most of his students spend part of their day in regular classrooms and come to him during scheduled periods for specialized instruction.

What makes Jones's story particularly interesting is how he found his way to special education. "I think I kind of fell in love with it by accident," he recalls. While studying music in college with dreams of Broadway and a performing career, Jones had to complete classroom observations. Though initially resistant to teaching—"I didn't want to teach at all," he admits—something unexpected happened when he visited a special education classroom.

"Those kids kind of tugged at me," Jones says. "Then it's like every day, after I saw those kids, I would find myself thinking of taking education classes. They just gripped me and pulled me in."

Before coming to Cairo, Jones taught special education in Tennessee for three years, bringing his total teaching experience to about eight years. He moved to Cairo when he married his wife, who is from the area, and found an open special education position at the elementary school.

What keeps Jones motivated after all these years? "It's just seeing the kids' faces when they accomplish the goal," he explains. "When they finally learn that new word and they spell it, and they're telling me about it like, 'Yeah, Mr. Jones, I can do this!' I just love seeing their faces."

Dean of Students Keyth Blissett, who checks in regularly on Jones's recovery, is pleased with his progress. "I'm happy to hear that your voice is strong," Blissett told Jones during a recent call.

As Jones prepares to begin therapy, his determination to return to his students is evident. His unexpected career path—trading Broadway dreams for a special education classroom—reflects the profound impact these students have had on his life.

For now, as he works toward recovery, Jones focuses on getting stronger each day. His message to his students remains simple but encouraging: keep trying your best until I return. The Broadway stage may have lost a performer, but Cairo Elementary's special education students gained a dedicated teacher who found his true calling in their achievements, big and small.