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In this work, we must find rest. Without rest—the work cannot be done. 

1. Who are you ? Tell us a little bit about yourself.

After attaining my Master’s Degree from the University of South Carolina, I began teaching in 2002. I know, I know, ages ago. Originally from Northern Virginia, Woodbridge, VA. I taught there for nine years and in between that time, I took two years off to be a stay-at-home Momma. I have a wonderful, handsome and caring husband, Michael, and our four amazing children. They are my rock. 

I taught elementary school in grades 1st and 2nd for nine years before I moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 2013. I began my Instagram page, Love.Teach. Bless., as a 1st-grade teacher in 2015. I began my account to share the things I was doing in my classroom. Teaching is my passion and I wanted to share it with the world-the Instagram world. I took a job as an Instructional Coach in 2017. As much as I love and have a passion for teaching, I love coaching teachers too. My joy is supporting teachers, seeing them grow, supporting their well-being and impacting students. I was an Instructional Coach for seven years. I love coaching and I love teaching. I believe in being a life-long learner and I learn more and more each day!

2. What inspired you to become an educator ?

My mother. She was a P.E. teacher for over forty years. She is my inspiration. I loved helping her and visiting her school. I knew I wanted to be a teacher at the age of 12. 

3. Can you share a memorable success story from your career?

I feel so blessed to have so many success stories that drive me and my work. One being when students come back to see me or reach out via email. That to me is the ultimate success when kids come back and tell me how much of an impact I have had on them. When a 5th grade student came back to the school I worked out to find me and still had the yearbook with me as his teacher, it melted my heart. It made me realize just how much impact you can make as a teacher. 

4. What unique strengths do you bring to your work ?

I bring joy, hope and inclusivity to my work. I make students and teachers feel psychologically safe and included around me. I want folks to know that they belong in the learning community. It’s is the foundation. That is a strength of mine. I believe without that folks cannot fully be seen. 

5. What are your passions, and what motivates you in life ?

My passion is love. Deep rooted love. I believe that in all that I do love is the nucleus. My family motivates me. I love my family so much and they drive me. 

6. What is Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) for you, and what does it look like in your daily routine ?

That is THE work. DEIB is not just in schools or in classrooms, that is important work and necessary work, but it’s also how it shows up in my day-to-day life. It’s how I move, how I think, how I build relationships, and how I work. The question I always ask myself and others is whose stories are missing? Who is missing? What can I do within my control and/or within my influence to ignite change—even if it feels small. 

7. In your opinion, what are the most important steps that schools can take to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for all ?

I think the most important steps for schools to create more inclusive and equitable environment for all is first, making sure that leaders and teachers are ones from marginalized communities. That those folks have seats at the tables where their voices are heard and where decisions are made. Second, I believe that having authentic, impactful, ongoing DEIB training is essential. Taking the time to sift through policies, teaching practices, curriculum, books, etc., together through conversation and collaboration is essential in creating change. Those are only a few steps. 

8. What advice can you give to someone who wants to join the education sector?

I would tell a new teacher to find themselves a mentor, a community, to be able to lean on. This work is community work. 

Bonus. Do you have a quote to inspire us ?

In this work, we must find rest. Without rest—the work cannot be done.