Dr. Mary V. Perkins-Jacobs is a JAG Specialist/Work-Based Learning Coordinator at Little Rock Southwest High School. She has been an adjunct professor for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in the graduate Business Education Department and former UALR Aerobic Dance Instructor. She has proudly taught junior high and high school with the Little Rock School District for 35 years. She was a former Business Education teacher at Henderson Junior High School, and has been a sponsor for JAG Career Association, Teachers of Tomorrow, Yearbook Advisor, Cheerleader Coach, Student Council Advisor, and Computer Club Sponsor. Her leadership role has also included serving as Bylaws Committee Chair and acting vice-principal. Currently, Mary serves on the state team for the Arkansas Department of Education, Division of Career and Technical Education (CTE) which is partnering with the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE) to improve CTE in our state for underserved students.
   Mary's dedication to the education field also consists of being the JAG State Chairperson. She coordinates the JAG competitive events. Mary serves on the Arkansas ACTE Board as the New & Related Services President, President of Special Populations and has served on the Awards Committee, Audit Committee and Bylaws Committee. Mary has mentored numerous teachers over the years as a Pathwise/AIMM Mentor and PRAXIS Assessor. She earned her Bachelor of Science at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, her Master of Science in Education and Educational Specialist in Educational Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and her Doctorate of Education in Educational Administration from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. She also holds certifications in Career &
Technical Education Administration, Secondary Vocational Administration and Assistant Director, as well as Curriculum Specialist, Secondary Principal, District Administrator, Computer Technology, Business Education, Internship, Adult Education and Coaching.
   Mary was recently named one of Arkansas’ 2021 Outstanding JAG Specialist and JAG High Performer at the JAG National Training Conference. Some of her other honors and awards include: Little Rock Family Magazine Amazing Educator Award, 2021; The Superintendent’s Citation Award; J. A. Fair Teacher of the Year, 2012, 2006, 2002; and Stephens Award-City of Little Rock, 2006. She has also written and received funding for several grants. Mary has also been a course designer for Virtual Arkansas.
   Mary’s main objective is to prepare her students to graduate from high school and become productive citizens by enrolling in post-secondary education, college, trade school, or finding a career job. The love she has for teaching and helping students succeed is the most important factor in her academic career. She loves teaching students about real-world applications which include job shadows, internships, post-secondary education, financial literacy and careers. She is passionate about education and loves to make lasting changes and impressions in students’ lives as the JAG Specialist at Little Rock Southwest High School.