From the Classroom: Jessi Carnes Shares Her Journey
From the Classroom is a Q&A series from Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) that spotlights educators who shape, inspire, and empower our students every day. In each feature, teachers share—in their own words—why they chose this profession, the lessons that bring joy to their classrooms, and the moments that remind them why they love what they do.
Through their stories, we see the heart of public education in action and the lasting impact it has on students across our city.
Today, we’re featuring Jessi Carnes, a third grade teacher at Ernie Pyle School 90.
What inspired you to become an educator, and how did you get started in the profession?
Teaching has always been my dream. I started babysitting as a teenager, did service learning in elementary schools, and went on to earn my education degree at Ball State. I started my teaching career as a fifth grade teacher at Eastern Elementary in Greentown, Indiana.
Following some tough life and career experiences, I took a temporary break from the classroom to work in the non-profit sector. I worked to deliver arts and literacy programs and to support children in foster care. That experience expanded my perspective, but it also reignited my core purpose. It made me realize that the classroom is where I truly belong, and I came back to teaching with even greater dedication and enthusiasm for my students.
What subject or grade do you currently teach, and what do you love most about it?
My teaching career has taken me through several grades. I started in 5th-grade ELA, moved to 4th grade, and have now found my sweet spot in 3rd grade teaching primarily ENL students. Moving to younger grades opened a new world for me. I’ve completely fallen in love with the magic of foundational learning. I love watching students master reading and build essential math skills. Working with ENL students has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. Learning how to make content truly accessible for language learners hasn't just helped my ENL students, it transformed my entire approach and made me a far better teacher for all my students. I love that it continuously challenges me to learn, adapt, and grow as a professional every single day
Describe your teaching style—how do you connect with students and keep them engaged in the classroom?
My teaching style is deeply relational. I place huge emphasis on building a strong, supportive classroom community and setting high expectations for my students. I know each of my students is a whole person. I recognize that they have complex lives, emotions, and experiences outside of school that directly impact how they learn and show up inside the classroom. By taking the time to truly know who my students are, I can target my instruction to their strengths and interests. That personal connection makes the learning feel meaningful, accessible, and relevant to them. Engagement follows naturally when students know that you see them and care about them.
What’s a favorite lesson, project, or moment from the classroom that really brought out the best in your students?
Ernie Pyle teaches thePaideia method, which means dialogue and deep inquiry are at the heart of how we teach. One of my absolute favorite moments was last year during a Paideia seminar and project following our unit on Native American Tribes. We had focused not just on history, but also on culture loss and resilience. At the end of the unit we read We Are Water Protectors and discussed real-world environmental challenges, including the Dakota Access Pipeline and how marginalized communities suffer from a lack of clean water. To bring the lesson to life, I gave the students dirty water and challenged them to filter it themselves using basic materials. Watching them realize firsthand how difficult it is to purify contaminated water was an incredible light bulb moment. Every single child was engaged. They walked away with a better scientific understanding of water sanitation, and with genuine empathy and respect for the communities we studied.
How do you encourage and inspire students to see their own potential and future success?
I build a culture focused on resilience, real-world truth, and unwavering support. We regularly study diverse figures throughout history who overcame immense obstacles to make a difference and achieve their version of success. I’m always honest with my students about the fact that hard things exist and failure is inescapable. We make mistakes together, we learn from them, and we try again. They also know that I have high expectations of them, and I believe without a shadow of a doubt that they can meet them. Knowing that someone in their corner believes in their future helps them start believing in it, too.
What would you tell someone considering a career in education today?
I’d tell them to give themselves grace, because nobody steps into their first classroom as an expert teacher. It takes time, practice, and patience to find your rhythm and confidence. I was too hard on myself my first couple of years. Most importantly, you must be open minded and always willing to learn. Education is a field that never stands still. The needs of our kids evolve, and science is constantly uncovering new insights into how the brain works and how learning actually happens. You can’t just coast on what you learned in college. To be a great educator, you have to keep an open mind, stay curious, and be willing to grow right alongside your students.
What teaching project are you excited about now? (For example: creating a greenhouse to teach biology).
Right now, I’m really excited about building Paideia projects that connect classroom learning directly to the real world. I’m currently taking our CKLA Animal Classification unit and integrating lessons on climate change and animal adaptations. We’ll probably also take a field trip to the zoo. I want my students to see how ecosystems adapt and understand the broader impact our choices have on the planet. We can take a unit about animals and turn it into a meaningful lesson in global citizenship.