Raymond. PHOTO COURTESY OF IOWA JOBS FOR AMERICA’S GRADUATES/FACEBOOK

GARWIN – GMG’s Brittany Raymond was recently recognized as an ‘Outstanding Specialist of the Year’ by Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) at the organization’s annual National Training Seminar held last month in Las Vegas, Nev.

Raymond, who works as Green Mountain-Garwin CSD’s iJAG (Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates) specialist, was recognized this year alongside 113 other iJAG specialists from across the country including Aleatha Wesselman, iJAG specialist at South Hardin Schools.

Both Iowa educators “were selected because of their ability to go above and beyond in their profession – and we’d say, they help take our organization to new limits,” iJAG posted on its Facebook page last week as part of the awards announcement.

iJAG described Raymond as “exceptionally dedicated to connecting students with opportunities in surrounding communities to help enhance their educational and personal growth. Her innovative approach and commitment were evident when she led several of her high school students to compete at a statewide skills-based competition and then a college-level artificial intelligence (AI) challenge with Pi515.”

The posting further stated Raymond “fosters an environment where students feel supported and motivated to pursue their interests, no matter what barriers may exist.”

The 2024 Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) Outstanding Specialists of the Year listed by state including Brittany Raymond of Iowa.

According to a posting by Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas (JAG-K), the Outstanding Specialist of the Year award is earned by JAG specialists who have a 100% graduation rate and an “89%+ Positive Outcomes with their students from the Class of 2023.”

Shortly after Raymond’s award was announced by GMG on Facebook, Tammy Woodbury, a coach and parent at GMG, wrote of Raymond, “The passion and commitment you put into this program has not gone unnoticed and I am so proud that you are being recognized at this level! Great job! I know how much this means to you!! … YOU ARE APPRECIATED!!”

iJAG is a statewide nonprofit organization and affiliate of JAG. JAG was founded in 1980 and, according to its website, today serves more than 79,000 youth across 37 states by providing “elective classes for credit taught by Specialists in high schools, middle schools, and after-school programs. Students acquire vital job skills, get hands-on experience, and receive a year of post-grad support, nurturing students through as they transition into career and post-secondary education.”

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is chair of the JAG National Board.