Jobs for Alabama's Graduates

MEET THE SPECIALIST

Mrs. Jammie Phillips serves as the JAG Specialist for Lowndes County Public Schools, where she leads Jobs for Americas Graduates program, a program dedicated to preparing students for success in college, careers, and life. Before stepping into this role, Mrs. Phillips built a distinguished career as a music educator and band director, inspiring students through the power of the arts.

Her expertise and leadership have been recognized on both state and national levels. She has been published in Teaching Music Magazine by the National Association for Music Education as well as in Ala Breve, the journal of the Alabama Music Educators Association. These publications showcase her innovative approaches to teaching, her commitment to student success, and her belief in the transformative power of education.

In her current role, Mrs. Phillips continues to blend creativity with career readiness. She integrates project-based learning, leadership development, and community engagement to help students discover their talents and achieve their goals.

Outside of school, she is an active community leader and a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. She is also a devoted mother to three children who fuel her passion for helping every student find their path.

What is JAG?

JAG Helps Every Student Graduate

Jobs for Alabama’s Graduates (JAG) identifies and provides educational support and success strategies for Alabama’s highest at-risk students. We partner JAG-eligible students with our Educational Specialists who mentor, equip, and provide the support needed to graduate and succeed after high school.

JAG is unique in that it serves students often overlooked. JAG-eligible students can face up to 33 barriers to success, including circumstances such as incarcerated parents, health problems, homelessness, having a dependent child or children in the home, or having a disability.

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Multi-Year Program

Our Programs Help Students Graduate

The JAG Multi-Year Program lasts up to 60 months and includes over 700 hours of professional JAG specialist support. Prospective students are identified in middle school and begin the JAG program in their 9th grade year and continue through graduation. This early intervention including classroom instruction, counseling, employability skills development, and job placement services results in a graduate with a quality job or enrollment in a post-secondary education and training program to further their career pursuit.

JAG I, JAG II, JAG III, JAG IV, & JAG V are courses Offered at both Central High School and Calhoun High School.

Jobs for Alabama Graduates (JAG) Syllabus

Barriers to Success

Barriers to Success Identified by JAG

Academic Barriers

ACADEMIC BARRIERS

One or more modal grades behind peers.
Has repeated a grade in high school.
Low academic performance (a grade point of C or below or basic academic skills in the bottom quartile of the class).
Basic skills deficient (reading and math in particular).
Limited English proficiency.
Failed state proficiency exam.
Past record of excessive absences as verified by school officials.
Has been suspended, expelled, or put on probation during high school.
Has dropped out of school previously.

Environmental Barriers

ENVIRONMENTAL BARRIERS

Family environment is not conducive to education or career goals.
Mother did not graduate from high school.
Father did not graduate from high school.
Mother does not work.
Father does not work.
Is pregnant (when admitted to the program).
Has dependent child or children in the home.
Is parenting.
Has documented alcohol and/or substance abuse.
Convicted of a criminal offense other than a traffic violation.
Has a record of violent behavior.
Is homeless.
Is a runaway.
Requires child care during work or school.
Needs transportation to and from work or school.
Is in foster care.
Child of incarcerated parent.
Child of a migrant worker.

Income and Work-Related Barriers

Personal Barriers

Education Model

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An Education Model Designed for Unique Student Support

Once the students are identified, the JAG Model is implemented by a JAG Specialist who works in-school with 60 students all on the pursuit of a high school diploma, a quality entry-level job that leads to a career, and/or post-secondary education.

JAG-Alabama is delivered through two model programs: Senior Only and Multi-Year programs. JAG Model programs identify students who are most at risk and possess a significant number of barriers to staying in school (there are 33 barriers that define an at-risk student).

CTSO

The purpose of the National Career Association (NCA) is to help members explore career pathways, to assess the opportunities and appropriateness of pursuing further education, to connect members with representatives of their chosen pathway, to develop their knowledge and skills, to secure employment in a job, and to demonstrate their ability to enter and advance with the employer.

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5 Fundamental Goals

JAG and NCA are a powerful partnership working for students and members in the classroom and chapter. Take advantage of every opportunity, every experience, and every event to maximize learning! The JAG Specialist is held accountable for implementing the National Career Association and using it effectively to achieve five (5) fundamental yet powerful goals.

Leadership Development

Career Development

Social Awareness

Social Awareness

Provides social awareness activities to help members gain knowledge of social graces, poise, and professional etiquette through recreational activities, image building projects, field trips, workshop presentations, and participation in school, community, and social programs. Social activities provide a valuable outlet for student enthusiasm, motivation, and membership interaction.