About Me

     I am a 24-year-old African American female preschool teacher. I am from Philadelphia PA.  I am an only child. I live with my mom, dad, and a black cat named Otto. I went to elementary and high school in the heart of Center City. I received my Bachelor of Art in media and communications at Ursinus College located in Collegeville PA. I am currently a preschool teacher at Primrose School of Center City in Philadelphia. I love working with kids and animals. I volunteered at zoos and animal shelters in high school. I was a camp counselor during my collegiate summers. Which made me realize my passion for working with kids. 

      

 Here is my journey of how I ended up where I am today working in a field of early childhood development.

        My first time living on my own was when I went to Ursinus. Living on campus was a huge adjustment for me. I started off in college being very timid and filled with a massive amount of anxiety and self-doubt. Not to mention I did not really know what I wanted to do after college. To be completely honest I didn’t know what I was truly passionate about and what I wanted to do with my career until after I graduated college and started working at a small daycare center in Kensington PA.

            I was fresh out of college with my BA in media and communications. I thought I had all the job opportunities in the world. I received good grades, was an active community member, being part of a local sorority, dance troop, and wind ensemble. I even made the Dean's Honor list my second semester of senior year. I could not figure out why I was having so much difficulty finding a job. Once I came off of my summer daze of just being illuminated by the fact that I completed college the notion of self-doubt and anxiety started to occur again.

        With the months rolling by and no such luck of being hired anywhere of desired interest, I decided to take an offer working for promotions at XfinityLive, a large sports bar located in the Philadelphia Sports complex center. I thought working there would be very amusing and similar to college with the party atmosphere. Unfortunately, I was looking at it through rose-colored glasses and when the glasses unshielded my eyes I realized that this was not the place for me. I yearn for working with kids again. I felt the most fulfilled when I could see the impact that I was making on people’s lives. Since then I have moved from working at a small daycare to a franchise school located back in, you guessed it, Center City Philadelphia.

            I adore working with kids and I truly value the golden rule of “treat others the way you want to be treated” Growing up I was bullied and didn't feel like I could fit in with my peers. This was the main cause of my anxiety and depression when I began my young adult years. I went to predominantly white schools and had a speech impediment. Not only could people not understand my cultural background but also not comprehend the words that were coming out of my mouth as well. This struggle of not being able to fit in and being ridiculed for my differences made me determine to help the next generation feel more connected with their peers and have a better understanding of diversity.

      Although I know I can't end bullying completely I want to be that teacher that students feel comfortable coming to and talking about their differences openly. I want to create an open discussion with my students, parents, and faculty on the necessity of having diversity and being able to have every voice heard so no one is left feeling powerless, not heard, or not celebrated in their community.

     I am currently attending Walden University to continue my pursuit to help bring up the next generation with empathy, curiosity, and respect for all of those around them. Even though we are all different we should all be able to come together with a listening ear and encourage each other to follow our passions and dreams.