I am a businesswoman turned elementary teacher.   My interest to become a teacher was spawned by my own influential fifth grade teacher Mrs. Brown, who saw my mathematical potential so many years ago.   Upon the completion of the fifth grade, Mrs. Brown suggested to my parents that I participate in a week-long accelerated mathematics program.  At the end of this program and before my first year of middle school, I was enrolled in seventh grade honors math – the equivalent of eighth grade math in Texas – and by the end of middle school, I had successfully completed Algebras I and II.  I endeavor to bring out this same potential in other youth.  As I have seen mathematics as a tool for advancement academically and professionally, I want to help the youth overcome any fears they may have concerning math and help them excel.

I wholeheartedly believe that it takes a village to raise a child, and that raising a child is not only manifested in the disciplinary actions of other adults, but in the ability to nurture and inspire young people.  It was in the church and at the homes of my parents’ friends that I was not asked whether or not I planned on attending college, but rather, where did I want to go and what did I want to study.  It was in these same settings that I was commended for making the honor roll and doted for speaking well.  It was in these backdrops that I saw successful businessmen and women, individuals with Masters in Education and Princeton degrees, truly talented vocalists with successful corporate careers that they enjoyed, and the paths that good choices can lead to.

Once I graduated from Oglethorpe University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration with a Marketing concentration, I had a few enriching opportunities to work with youth.  Spending several months tutoring a third grader after school, I realized early on that the biggest obstacle was her low self-esteem.  In an effort to combat this, I found ways to build up her self-esteem and reward her for her accomplishments.  I used educational aids, props, controlled environments, and healthy snacks to keep her attention.  As time progressed, we did see improved scores in school and more of an interest in the learning process.

While I worked at a Big 4 accounting firm, I had the opportunity to participate in an Elementary Tutoring Program, which allowed me to work with fourth graders in an urban Atlanta Elementary  School.  In this setting, again I saw the need to get the children to focus and also a need to also build their self-esteem.  I felt my presence at this elementary school was needful in that these young children saw someone that looked like them helping them with their studies.  Though in the real world, we do not always see people that “look like us” when we need a helping hand, it can make all of the difference.

My academic background and work experience would seem to have lead me down the clear path of pursuing an MBA, but many are the plans of a man’s heart, but only God’s purpose that prevails (Proverbs 19:21).  I was motivated by my need to make a difference in this world and in the lives of our youth to go in another direction.  After watching the “Black in America” series on CNN in the summer of 2008, I decided to make a change in my course.  I chose to pursue my Masters in Education and embark upon a journey in teaching in an urban setting.

This journey that began in the summer of 2009 when I started my masters program at Howard University was truly an eye opening experience.  I have had opportunities to help students move up grade levels when they were direly behind, and I have seen students on grade level soar to well above grade level in the course of a school year.  I have seen the challenges that have led to many students being behind, which generally starts at home, but I have also seen the difference that can be made when students’ parents on are educated and equipped on how they can help their students.  When all is said and done, I love what I do and the difference that I have the opportunity to make in the lives of young children everyday.

When I am not working with the children, I enjoy artistic expressions from photography to art projects to playing the piano and singing.