When I was a child, my cousins and I had a favorite game at my grandmother’s house. We repeatedly played a guessing game on a series of steps that went up to her back porch. If you guessed right, you got to move up the steps and eventually take over as the teacher.
I’m not sure if that is what initially stirred my interest in becoming an educator, but there certainly was something about advancement throughout education and a career—and seeing students move forward—that has always been engaging to me.
In high school, I thought I would enter the medical profession, but I recognized, unfortunately, in my first biology course in college that there weren’t a lot of people who looked and sounded like me in those fields. I was discouraged and didn’t see how I would fit in and advance.
That prompted some shifts in direction and eventually a move to English and certification to teach. I’ve been lucky enough to be named teacher of the year at two high schools and by one of my school district—and three years ago was given an opportunity to become an assistant principal. In this position, I was recently named certified secondary staff person of the year for the district.
I remain committed to my local the Mississippi Association of Educators and NEA, relationships that began 14 years ago and have been the foundation on which I built my career. The opportunities I’ve had to connect with other educators, learn through professional development, and have a voice in education through these groups have been central to my success.
I learned how to be a teacher and a leader.
I want to help my school and the students I lead grow and learn. I want to be certain that my work as an educator benefits my students every day.
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