I am an educator because I want to create fertile ground where students can grow and thrive to their fullest potential. While that should be every educator’s mission, my experiences have taught me that students, like plants, need consistent care, nourishment, and the right environment to truly bloom.
My future as an educator first took root during an internship in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where I worked in an after-school program serving marginalized high school students. Our goal was to prepare minority students for college and careers. One participant told me she had been discouraged from pursuing higher education and was advised to settle for minimum wage work. That moment planted the seed of my passion for educational equity. I knew I wanted to become an educator who could uproot harmful narratives and cultivate spaces where all students can see the pathways to their potential.
Through both life and teaching experience, I have grown to understand the importance of representation, empathy, and high expectations. I work to ensure students see themselves reflected in leadership, feel their voices take root, and have equitable access to the resources and policies that help them flourish. These values guide me daily—keeping me grounded, intentional, and committed to each student’s success.
Even when storms arise, I stay rooted in my purpose by witnessing the tangible growth of students, the blossoming of teacher confidence, and the strengthening of school culture. My purpose is reaffirmed when students close academic gaps or when educators I mentor branch out with new skills and enthusiasm.
Quote byTanisha A. Richards , Assistant Principal
Being part of a strong community of educators means cultivating a shared passion for students, advocating for the resources and policies that sustain us, and standing together for equity, fairness, and the dignity of our profession. It means tending to one another—sharing best practices, supporting each other through challenges, and celebrating each harvest of success. Together, we grow stronger, and that collective strength nurtures the students we serve.
Let us continue to plant seeds of equity, tend to one another with care, and nurture environments where both students and educators can thrive. I invite fellow educators, families, and community members to join me in this work—advocating for the resources, respect, and policies that allow our schools to flourish. Together, we can cultivate a future where every student is given the chance to bloom to their fullest potential.
