I’m a native of rural Sumter, South Carolina. I had a very community-oriented upbringing because my dad was a long-distance truck driver. I distinctly remember how involved the school was in our lives. My mom stayed home to care for me and my three siblings, and the educators and principal at our school were very supportive of us. It really stood out to me how supportive of us they were—and I’ll never forget how it made my mom feel.
I became an educator because I wanted to provide that same level of support for students in similar circumstances. I majored in English Literature at the University of South Carolina. Because of my growing interest in education, I transitioned into a fifth-year master’s program in interdisciplinary studies at the university’s college of education. I started teaching in 2004 as a lead substitute while finishing my degree. After graduating, I became a full-time educator.
My practicum and internship experiences in college were at schools that were well-resourced and diverse. However, my first teaching assignment was at an elementary school in a high-need area. That was a real wake-up call for me. There was a real gap in technology resources. I asked my principal if I could attend a conference on 21st-century learning. Not only did I learn new skills at the conference, but I was also able to connect with a vendor who offered to donate a smartboard to our school. The technology skills opened so many doors, allowing me to offer professional development lessons and work with families in the community. That experience helped me realize it is possible to address inequities in high-need schools.
I strongly believe a love of reading inspires a passion for education. I currently serve as a reading interventionist at my elementary school. My duties include engaging with the students and their families to help them be successful. When you learn to read, you have the world in your hands. That’s why I'm very intentional about integrating family and community involvement into the process.
I’ve been involved with the union since I was an aspiring educator in college. Several South Carolina Education Association (SCEA) members came to the school to speak about the association, and it was love at first sight. My experiences with the SCEA and NEA have helped me improve my craft.
Racial and social justice is about providing equitable access for all students. The SCEA and NEA first helped me focus on these issues after I increased my involvement. The learning journey began when the SCEA sent me to participate in the NEA’s Minority Leadership Training program. Through the SCEA and NEA, I’ve gained new opportunities to collaborate with colleagues teaching in underserved communities.
Recently, I was appointed to chair the Women’s Issues Committee, which works to help advance the work of the association regarding women’s issues. Equity is an essential lens for our advocacy since a majority of the education workforce are women. I am constantly inspired by the dedicated Committee members as we serve the NEA’s mission and vision.
After 20 years in the classroom, I still believe that all students can be healthy and successful if we provide the proper resources
