Jill Kreacic of Dixon Road Elementary was named the 2022 JCPS Curriculum, Instruction, and Accountability Employee of the Year.
Kreacic has worked in JCPS since 2010 as a school counselor, with nearly 11 of those years at Dixon Road Elementary.
She was nominated by second grade teacher Laura Costa who said, “Jill is like a fairy godmother who works tirelessly behind the scenes to make programs and instruction at Dixon Road happen effortlessly.”
“As a counselor, Jill is involved in all areas of the school family,” Costa said. “Kreacic coordinates with area businesses and churches to provide Backpack Buddies kits for kids, she distributes supplies as needed, she volunteers to have lunch with students in need of a person to listen to, and she organizes the school’s peer tutoring group which provides much needed practice with younger students.”
Costa went on to say that Kreacic goes far beyond the requirements of her job because she desires to serve the student body and staff. She teaches lessons regularly that are tailored to classroom needs, and readily consults with teachers about what lesson would best work at this time.
A fairy godmother indeed. When asked about how being referred to as a fairy godmother made her feel, she exclaimed, “Awesome!”
Kreacic is another shining example of a JCPS faculty member doing good work with no need for praise or recognition. She just does these things because she cares about the students and seeing them grow and thrive.
Born in Minneapolis, MN, Kreacic moved around as an adult, living in Texas, Nevada, California and ultimately settling down in North Carolina.
She began teaching in Texas, and it was there that she decided to pursue a career in counseling.
“I must have had some of those qualities of a counselor all along,” Kreacic recalled. She was assigned to students who just needed a little more patience and understanding due to anxiety or other issues.
Kreacic attended the University of Texas at San Antonio where she received her master’s degree in counseling. While pursuing her degree she also spent two years teaching fourth grade at an Army post in Germany.
When she returned to Texas, she met her husband, got married and in 2005 they had their first of two children, a daughter, who was born with a genetic multi-system disorder called Prader Willi Syndrome (PWS).
The syndrome is characterized during infancy by lethargy, diminished muscle tone (hypotonia), feeding difficulties with poor weight gain and growth, and other hormone deficiencies.
Kreacic is on a mission with her husband to make people aware of this genetic disorder. She knows of approximately six people with PWS who live in the area. It affects between 1 in 10,000-30,000 individuals in the general population and about 350,000-400,000 individuals worldwide.
She and her husband decided to move to NC because her in-laws live here and could help with their daughter. Her son, born at Rex Hospital in Raleigh, is the one true NC native in the family.
In light of the challenges she has at home, Kreacic is committed to her students’ success. “I really want everyone to be successful,” she remarked. “It sounds as corny as can be, but it’s true.”
Her favorite thing about her job is not just one thing, but three. Number one? “I absolutely love classroom curriculum lessons! I can work with all the kids,” she said.
Kreacic leans towards lessons that are proactive and provide skills and tools. She enjoys more one-on-one interactions, which is why her second favorite thing about her job is small groups. “You really get to know the students,” she remarked.
Lastly, she loves her peer helper group. Last school year she had around 45 fifth graders in the group. When they arrive at school the students go to a lower grade classroom to read with students or help the teacher in some way until about 9 a.m. ”Those kids get to feel success helping other kids,” she remarked.
Kreacic finds time whenever she can to meet with her students. Poof! And there she is. Just like a fairy godmother.
For example, she met with her peer helpers and small groups at lunch. They focused on social skills, executive functioning (study habits), resiliency, and friendship groups for the first graders.
Although she has three favorite things about her job, there is one element that is above all else about her role.
Without hesitation, Kreacic said that listening to her students and learning about their passions is how she connects with them. “I truly am interested in all the different things they have to teach me,” Kreacic said. “I’ll say to them, ‘Tell me more about this, I’m not familiar with it.’”
Her best moment as a counselor this year was a student who had some issues at home coupled with learning disabilities and ADHD thrown in and was also struggling at school.
Kreacic worked with this child all year long and at the end of the year, that same student gave her the biggest hug, once again hopeful for things to come.
How does she balance life and work? “I lack sleep often,” she confessed. Kreacic’s attitude is that when she retires she’ll have time to lounge around. Not now though. She refuses to stop short.
Although she is too busy to do a lot of literal traveling, Kreacic travels in her mind by listening to audio books. Her favorite genre is historical fiction and anything she can learn something from. She also enjoys drama and mystery. “It’s something I can do for me,” she said.
She still finds time to give her all at Dixon Road Elementary. “It’s such a community school,” Kreacic said. “Everyone is so friendly and willing to go the extra mile.”
One of the things she reminds herself when things get heavy or frustrating is that everyone involved is there because they care about the student. “I’ve worked with some tremendous people that are willing to help.”
Kreacic doesn’t keep the spotlight on herself for long, crediting others for her success. “My award is an honor for all the people at Dixon Road who work hard,” she remarked. “They really want to be there.” Dixon Road Elementary is privileged to have Kreacic as their fairy godmother.
I can say that 100% this woman is a an angel. She was there for not only my 4 children but myself as well. She went above and beyond for us and I will forever be grateful for her. All of Dixon Road Elementary students, staff & parents are so blessed to have her in their lives. She is also a wonderful mother herself and she is so deserving of any and all awards & praise. Thank you so much for all you do for everyone Ms. Kreacic!!