Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG) and its national affiliate name Tiffany Harris of Clinton High School as 2024-2025 JAG Outstanding Specialist
Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG) announces that a Clinton educator has earned state and national recognitions for impact on student success. iJAG and its national affiliate, Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG), named Tiffany Harris of Clinton High School (CHS) as 2024-2025 JAG Outstanding Specialist.
Harris is part of a national class of educators selected for the award due to her ability to go above and beyond in her role. Harris was recognized for her heart, resilience and dedication. For five years as an in-school Career Education Specialist (CES), she has prioritized student success and built strong employer partnerships across eastern Iowa while creating a positive, collaborative environment. Harris demonstrates proactive leadership and unwavering care that has led to an ongoing trajectory of positive outcomes in student growth, community engagement and program development.
As an iJAG CES at CHS, Harris serves nearly 50 students each year in grades 9-12 with programming centered around leadership training, career education, skill development and civic service. She often combines her classrooms with the Clinton middle school iJAG program (grades 7-8) to participate in volunteer activities, jobsite tours, fundraising and community events.
In total, more than 110 CES educators were honored with Outstanding Specialist awards across all 32 JAG state affiliates. Harris was one of two Iowa educators who was recognized. Aleatha Wesselmann of South Hardin High School (Eldora) was the other iJAG CES who received this honor.
Clinton CSD Notches JAG’s Top Honor, The 6-of-6 Award
Clinton was one of 25 Iowa school districts recognized with the JAG 6-of-6 Award for reaching key performance benchmarks in six categories. According to JAG, these categories heavily influence the measurement of student outcomes:
1. High School Graduation Rate
2. Continued Education Rate
3. Employment Rate
4. Full-Time Employment Rate
5. Total Full-Time Positive Outcomes
6. Connectivity Rate (maintaining monthly contact with students during their transition year following high school graduation)
“Tiffany is a bright light who is admired by her students, peers and community,” said Dr. Wendy Mihm-Herold, President and CEO for iJAG. “iJAG’s network of in-school educators and supporting partners are all caring adults who are passionate about shifting the trajectory of student outcomes. Tiffany and so many others wake up every day to provide time, talent, dollars or resources to help youth develop essential life skills, become career-ready and have a purpose.”
JAG is a nationwide nonprofit supported by bipartisan lawmakers, employer partners, educational agencies, community organizations and private donors. As one of 32 state affiliates, iJAG operates 204 classrooms and serves more than 11,500 youth through in-school programming and post-graduate transition services.
