First, I will thank the leaders I have been fortunate to work with in my district. Then, I'll share some musings on teaching as a career.
Last year's leadership is gone. Thankfully, I have nothing but wonderful memories of working under Coach King. I won't say much more than that. My first experiences with school leadership were terrible ones. The person I reported to was not capable or worthy of her title. I never defied her and did everything she asked me to do. I am proud of serving her to the best of my ability, even though she may not have deserved to be followed.
Dr. Mullins' class on leadership opened my eyes to the variety of personalities who can be successful in leadership roles. He brought in some amazing speakers to visit us. Some highlights include hearing Dr. Donald Cole: a man who pursued math to the highest level, speaks humbly, yet never stopped working hard for equality for all students at Ole Miss. I was able to finally hear Dickie Scruggs talk. A man who my dad and I have been borderline obsessed with ever since we read Curtis Wilkie's The Fall of the House of Zeus. Robert Khayat came to spend the morning with us, and I had tears running down my face from his hilarious stories. Even just the time spent with Dr. Mullins and Professor Connell was special: two Mississippians who chose to fight through life for a better Mississippi.
I consider myself very lucky to have listened to them share their experiences. It has absolutely been the highlight of my time in Teacher Corps.
Now, to change over to the leadership at NPJH this year. I will focus very briefly on some of the people who work so hard for the children of my district. First, Mr. Michael Britt and Ms. Ralenna Edwards: two of the absolute warriors for Panola county's children. Both grew up in Panola County, attended North Panola, and have committed their careers to improving the district for all children. I have never met a pair who worked harder as advocates for children. They are both incredible leaders because they work so tirelessly doing everything they can to help our school succeed. I am immensely lucky to work on their staff.
Three others who have made a difference for me this year are Mr. Jamone Edwards, Ms. Robin Oatis, and Ms. Angela King-Baker. Mr. Edwards is the assistant superintendent, and is always willing to listen to my ideas or assist me in reaching excellent instruction. As a leader, he has earned my respect because he is truly willing to consult teachers and listen to the suggestions of staff members to help students succeed. Ms. Oatis is a great leader because, though she has a more reserved personality, she can motivate a team to do what it takes to incorporate best practices in the classroom. She ALWAYS has her work done, and has the most beautiful anchor charts I have ever seen. She is a truly excellent teacher leader. The final person, is of course, Ms. Baker. She is a wonder woman. I have rarely witnessed anything less than excellence from her. She encourages me every day by leading our students to success with a smile on her face.
My musings on my career are too many to sort through. I hope to spend many more years figuring out what I think of this profession. I hope that accountability changes for schools. I hope America shifts toward a more inclusive spectrum of grading schools.
I often come across people who have varying opinions of teachers. At best, some believe teachers are transcendent saints who martyr themselves for the betterment of children every day. These types usually understand that teachers are underpaid and under appreciated BUT believe that is all just “a part of the job.” Others believe teachers are eccentric, as if there are few (or no) benefits to teaching other people’s children. Why would anyone ever want to be a teacher? Isn’t that a career you settle into doing when you have no other prospects? You must be a bit crazy if you actually want to teach.
Perhaps the most common person I come across is the person who pities me for my commitment to my job. Or, worse, they pity my students so much that they believe my work is a lost cause. In any case, I find that I approach all people who misunderstand teaching pretty much the same way. I ask them a few leading questions: what do you think is wrong with schools? How do you think good teachers change schools? What do schools need, aside from great teachers, to be successful?
Then, I explain to them, that educating white, middle class children in a suburb is not the dream job. For some people, it may be. But for me, teaching Mississippi’s children is the dream job. My choice to become a teacher in Mississippi grows from what I’ve learned as a resident of this state for the past five years. The first, being that Mississippi’s state leadership does not take care of its children. Second, that integration has not happened in many areas of Mississippi.
For many people I speak with, this usually leaves them quiet, or dying to change the subject. I feel proud of the ways I can change students in my classroom, at a small scale. But, I’m also glad that I can defend my career to many adults who are largely ignorant to the problems facing young black Mississippians. In any case, I’m proud to be a teacher and I’m glad I was called to be involved at NPJH during this time.
Last year's leadership is gone. Thankfully, I have nothing but wonderful memories of working under Coach King. I won't say much more than that. My first experiences with school leadership were terrible ones. The person I reported to was not capable or worthy of her title. I never defied her and did everything she asked me to do. I am proud of serving her to the best of my ability, even though she may not have deserved to be followed.
Dr. Mullins' class on leadership opened my eyes to the variety of personalities who can be successful in leadership roles. He brought in some amazing speakers to visit us. Some highlights include hearing Dr. Donald Cole: a man who pursued math to the highest level, speaks humbly, yet never stopped working hard for equality for all students at Ole Miss. I was able to finally hear Dickie Scruggs talk. A man who my dad and I have been borderline obsessed with ever since we read Curtis Wilkie's The Fall of the House of Zeus. Robert Khayat came to spend the morning with us, and I had tears running down my face from his hilarious stories. Even just the time spent with Dr. Mullins and Professor Connell was special: two Mississippians who chose to fight through life for a better Mississippi.
I consider myself very lucky to have listened to them share their experiences. It has absolutely been the highlight of my time in Teacher Corps.
Now, to change over to the leadership at NPJH this year. I will focus very briefly on some of the people who work so hard for the children of my district. First, Mr. Michael Britt and Ms. Ralenna Edwards: two of the absolute warriors for Panola county's children. Both grew up in Panola County, attended North Panola, and have committed their careers to improving the district for all children. I have never met a pair who worked harder as advocates for children. They are both incredible leaders because they work so tirelessly doing everything they can to help our school succeed. I am immensely lucky to work on their staff.
Three others who have made a difference for me this year are Mr. Jamone Edwards, Ms. Robin Oatis, and Ms. Angela King-Baker. Mr. Edwards is the assistant superintendent, and is always willing to listen to my ideas or assist me in reaching excellent instruction. As a leader, he has earned my respect because he is truly willing to consult teachers and listen to the suggestions of staff members to help students succeed. Ms. Oatis is a great leader because, though she has a more reserved personality, she can motivate a team to do what it takes to incorporate best practices in the classroom. She ALWAYS has her work done, and has the most beautiful anchor charts I have ever seen. She is a truly excellent teacher leader. The final person, is of course, Ms. Baker. She is a wonder woman. I have rarely witnessed anything less than excellence from her. She encourages me every day by leading our students to success with a smile on her face.
My musings on my career are too many to sort through. I hope to spend many more years figuring out what I think of this profession. I hope that accountability changes for schools. I hope America shifts toward a more inclusive spectrum of grading schools.
I often come across people who have varying opinions of teachers. At best, some believe teachers are transcendent saints who martyr themselves for the betterment of children every day. These types usually understand that teachers are underpaid and under appreciated BUT believe that is all just “a part of the job.” Others believe teachers are eccentric, as if there are few (or no) benefits to teaching other people’s children. Why would anyone ever want to be a teacher? Isn’t that a career you settle into doing when you have no other prospects? You must be a bit crazy if you actually want to teach.
Perhaps the most common person I come across is the person who pities me for my commitment to my job. Or, worse, they pity my students so much that they believe my work is a lost cause. In any case, I find that I approach all people who misunderstand teaching pretty much the same way. I ask them a few leading questions: what do you think is wrong with schools? How do you think good teachers change schools? What do schools need, aside from great teachers, to be successful?
Then, I explain to them, that educating white, middle class children in a suburb is not the dream job. For some people, it may be. But for me, teaching Mississippi’s children is the dream job. My choice to become a teacher in Mississippi grows from what I’ve learned as a resident of this state for the past five years. The first, being that Mississippi’s state leadership does not take care of its children. Second, that integration has not happened in many areas of Mississippi.
For many people I speak with, this usually leaves them quiet, or dying to change the subject. I feel proud of the ways I can change students in my classroom, at a small scale. But, I’m also glad that I can defend my career to many adults who are largely ignorant to the problems facing young black Mississippians. In any case, I’m proud to be a teacher and I’m glad I was called to be involved at NPJH during this time.