Dr. Jones, Damrosch School, win international grant

BRONX (WABC) -- Dr. Latasha Jones at the Walter Damrosch School, which serves those with special needs, teaches her students that "in order for you to love someone else, you must first love yourself."

Calling Jones dedicated, passionate, and innovated only begins to describe who she is.

Ava Kaplan, the principal at the school, knew immediately Jones was the right fit for the school. "As soon as she walked in, I knew she had a heart, I knew she had the experience, great ideas, knew she would be innovative, a real go-getter, a self-promoter. It's all about the kids here."

An international competition recognized Dr. Jones and her students' efforts with a $25,000 grant.

She decided to start a canned food drive to get the kids to think outside of themselves and outside of the classroom.

Dr. Jones sees the huge difference it has made in her students. "It helps build their self-esteem. It helps them become student leaders amongst each other and it helps them gain insights about ways to help their community," Jones said.

By inspiring them with gratitude, she points out most of her 11-year-old students have not had easy lives.

"I think she pretty much makes everyone in the class feel important," said Ashley Thorpe, a student of Jones.

"She's like the best teacher. She tells us what we have to do even if we mess up. Other teachers aren't the same," said another student, Nicole Jones.

Dr. Jones turned the food drive into math and writing lessons. She goes with her students to stock local food pantries and volunteer at a soup kitchen.

This enthusiasm and innovation puts Dr. Jones and her students "Above and Beyond" 850 other schools and clubs to win the grant for the charities they adopted.