Meet Our Teachers
Sequita Sands | Norma Kennedy | Traci Brown
Sequita Sands
Teaching in high-need schools and subjects often involves mentoring students on how to overcome major challenges in order to succeed. Recent ABCTE Teach & Inspire Scholarship Program graduate and new Florida teacher Sequita Sands knows a thing or two about being knocked off course but never giving up.
“When I was 18 years old, one month after the start of my college career, my mother—the only parent I ever knew—died of breast cancer. As a result, my academic performance suffered and I lost my scholarship,” explained Sands. “I could have easily given up and dropped out of school but I did just the opposite. I worked hard to improve my grades, my scholarship was eventually reinstated and I went on to obtain my Bachelor's degree.”
Now, thanks to ABCTE’s Teach & Inspire Scholarship Program and a career change from working as an Economic Self-Sufficiency Specialist with the Florida Department of Children & Families, Sands is teaching sixth and eighth grade science at Crystal Lake Middle School in Lakeland, Florida.
“Without ABCTE’s program,” said Sands, “I probably would not have pursued my teaching certification. I was able to work a full time job and still pursue it, and the scholarship I received through Teach & Inspire made it even more affordable.”
In addition to making the career change possible from a financial perspective, ABCTE also helped Sands in preparing for the rigorous tests required to receive her certification. “The refresher courses were very helpful because they covered a lot of the topics that appeared on the exam. I particularly found the practice exams useful because I was able to do a ‘practice run’ at home to have an idea of what the actual exam would be like,” said Sands.
Now in the classroom, Sands strives to be “a dedicated, passionate teacher who leads by example.”
“I always thought I would be happy teaching,” said Sands, “but I have now come to the realization that teaching is indeed my calling.”
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Norma Kennedy
Recent Teach & Inspire Scholarship Program alumnae Norma Kennedy knew at an early age that teaching was her calling. “As a child I was profoundly impacted by a particular teacher I had in the fifth and sixth grades—Miss Ella Gilkerson,” explained Kennedy. “I knew by age 11 that I was going to pursue a career as a teacher. I wanted to be able to do for my students what she did for me.”
Kennedy saw in Miss Gilkerson someone who exercised “a great deal of care and patience” and Kennedy strives to do the same as she pursues opportunities to teach in high-need schools and subject areas. “These students need special attention from teachers who truly believe in them and their ability to succeed,” said Kennedy. “While it may be an easier task to teach students in ‘better circumstances,’ I feel that society is much better for it when we focus on students in high-need districts. Conveying to these students through your actions that you are fully committed to their success and that you believe in their ability to succeed can make them view themselves in a more positive light and begin to believe in themselves. This can only pay dividends for everyone.”
Following in the footsteps of one of her childhood role models may never have been an option for Kennedy had it not been for ABCTE. “Very possibly, I would not have pursued my teacher certification if ABCTE's program did not exist. ABCTE made it convenient for me to prepare for my examinations by making study material available in various forms and by making the material pertinent to what is required for success,” said Kennedy.
With her ABCTE certification now complete, Kennedy has begun the process of looking for a teaching job in Florida and looks forward to having a classroom of her own. “I plan to teach for the rest of my working life,” said Kennedy. Considering she’s been focused on becoming a teacher since her own elementary school days, Kennedy leaves little doubt that she’ll have anything other than a long, inspiring career.
Learn more about the Teach & Inspire Scholarship Program. This fall’s deadline for applications is November 15, 2008.
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Traci Brown
Growing up in inner city Los Angeles and moving to Florida during high school, Brown overcame many obstacles in order to reach her goals. She lived in a community where gangs, drugs, and teen pregnancy were common occurrences. Despite these distractions, Brown was able to rise above the negative environment and stay focused on her education. She feels well equipped to motivate students in high-need schools, having faced some of the same situations in her youth. Brown says, “I can give children the inspiration and encouragement to confront their own challenges, overcome negativity and persevere.”
Brown received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida. She worked 36 hours a week while going to school full-time, eventually graduating with a degree in Natural Science with an emphasis in Biology. After working in business sales and consulting for almost 8 years, Brown was ready to pursue her goals to help children discover their academic abilities and enrolled in ABCTE’s Teach & Inspire Scholarship Program. “Without this program,” says Brown, “I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to pursue teaching.”
Brown earned her ABCTE certificate to teach Biology and is currently teaching in Hillsborough County. “I’m so excited about being the 1,000th certification. As an African American woman, I can serve as a positive role model for students of color,” says Brown. “I look forward to embarking on this new and exciting journey.”
Share your story or get started on your own path to teaching today!