Gwen Jackson is a dedicated educator and longtime Hempstead resident of 40 years. Born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens, Ms. Jackson devoted 32 years to Nassau BOCES, serving as a classroom, infant, supervising, and itinerant teacher.

 Ms. Jackson’s lifelong dedication to learning began at Andrew Jackson High School in Queens and continued through advanced study in speech pathology, audiology, deaf education, early childhood education, and administration. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Ithaca College, a master’s degree in Deaf Education from Smith College, completed additional credits at Bank Street College, and earned a Professional Diploma in Administration from C.W. Post.

 Building on her professional experience and personal values, Ms. Jackson pursued her long-held goal of business ownership. In 2003, she and her best friend, Ann Paczkowski, founded Florosa Homework Center, Inc., in memory of her sisters, Florence and Rosa. To ensure that no child would be denied academic support because of financial hardship, she established Florosa Learning Center as the not-for-profit arm of Florosa, Inc.

 That same dedication to service extends to Ms. Jackson’s civic engagement and community leadership. She currently serves as Chairperson of New York Communities for Change (NYCC), Second Vice President of the New Hempstead Democratic Club (NHDC), and a member of The Corridor Counts (TCC). Through these roles, she advocates for community empowerment and positive change.

 She has also served as Vice President and Audit Chair of the Hempstead School Board and as a Board Member of the Nassau Reading Council. Together, these roles reflect a lifelong legacy of education, public service, and community advancement.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” — Mahatma Gandhi