Jackie Akers.

Jackie Akers graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a middle school endorsement in English/Language Arts.  She went on to graduate from the University of Illinois with a master's degree in Teacher Leadership.  Jackie served as a middle school reading and language arts teacher for many years before moving into her current role as Clay County's CEO facilitator and enrichment coordinator for North Clay Schools.  Jackie has been familiar with the CEO program since its inception in Effingham County.  When the opportunity presented itself for the program to come to Clay County, she was excited to help build the program from the ground up.  It has been a pleasure to see how much these young ladies and gentlemen grow through the CEO experience.  Fostering their excitement and helping them hone in on skills that will serve them for a lifetime is a passion of hers. Jackie and her husband, Jon, reside in Flora with their young daughter.