February 8, 2024
At which Meeting Street School do you teach?
Meeting Street – Burns
When and why did you decide to be a teacher?
I decided to apply for teaching positions my senior year in college after going to a few recruitment fairs with the Black Student Union. I really wanted to help kids achieve their potential.
Where did you go to school?
College of Charleston – Undergrad; Cambridge College – Master’s
Where did you do your student teaching and what did you take away from that experience?
I did not student teach (majored in Spanish/minor in African American Studies)
How did you decide which school you would teach at after graduating?
Partly due to the recruitment fair; but also because I asked to go to the school with the most need.
Which school(s) did you teach at before coming to Meeting Street Schools?
Bayside Middle School (Virginia); Ashley Ridge High School (Summerville); River Oaks Middle (North Charleston)
How did you find out about Meeting Street Schools?
A mutual friend introduced me to Meeting Street.
What was your first impression/experience at Meeting Street Schools?
My first impression was that Meeting Street is doing the work of education that all schools should be doing. All schools should follow their model.
What makes Meeting Street Schools different, and/or why did you decide to work for Meeting Street Schools, and what keeps you here?
Meeting Street is different because of their mission to provide a quality education for all students regardless of their zip code. The kids keep me here. They make this hard and meaningful work worth it!
What is your current position at Meeting Street Schools? Describe the journey from first starting at MSS to where you are now.
I currently serve as the Academic Dean for grades 2 – 4. I previously worked in traditional public schools for 21 years before starting at MSS. It was like starting at year 1. The “Meeting Street Way” is different than most traditional public schools. While it took some time to adjust to the coaching/leadership style, I am so happy I was able to join this community. I am learning how to be a better leader, coach, and educator by being a part of Meeting Street Schools.
What career goals are you still working towards?
I would like to continue to hone my craft as an academic dean before I look into any other position. Eventually, I would like to found a new Meeting Street campus/school.
Join a community of incredible, passionate people working to change the lives of our students. Our compensation and benefits are a cut above the rest: the most competitive total compensation in the region.
Start Your Career!Meeting Street Schools (MSS) is an innovative non-profit where schools, families, and the community collaborate to create environments where all children can achieve their full potential. With a network of schools across South Carolina, including MSA-Charleston (Charleston, SC), MSA-Spartanburg (Spartanburg, SC), MS-Brentwood (North Charleston, SC), MS-Burns (North Charleston, SC), we are committed to providing students with the rigorous education they deserve.
Founded on the principle that every child deserves an excellent education regardless of their socio-economic background, Meeting Street Schools has been a beacon of hope and a testament to what's possible in education. Our schools are driven by a strong focus on student achievement, evidence-based instruction, and relentless support of our students and their families.
While united by our shared mission, each MSS campus, is unique in its character, tapping into the local spirit of the communities they serve. Explore each of our schools and discover how they're creating a brighter future for students in South Carolina.
Nestled in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina, MSA Charleston is more than just a school—it’s a hub for innovative learning and community engagement. As part of the Meeting Street Schools network, MSA Charleston embodies a commitment to excellence through its rigorous academic programs, inclusive culture, and focus on developing the whole child. With a curriculum that emphasizes both academic and personal growth, MSA Charleston prepares students to be curious learners and active citizens of their community.
Meeting Street Academy – Spartanburg is as a pillar of educational innovation in the Spartanburg community. The school’s dedicated educators and supportive learning environment ensure that each child receives a high-quality, personalized education with exceptional faculty and teachers. The Academy is distinguished by its emphasis on community partnership, fostering relationships that extend beyond the classroom to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success.
Meeting Street – Brentwood is a place where education meets opportunity. Serving the Brentwood area, this neighborhood Public School of Innovation is a testament to the transformative power of education. With a student-centered approach that celebrates diversity and encourages excellence, Meeting Street – Brentwood is dedicated to equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. Meeting Street – Brentwood also serves as a hub for the Brentwood community to access educational and wellness services. The school’s commitment to innovation, coupled with a warm, welcoming environment, makes it a standout in the Meeting Street Schools network.
Located in a community rich with history and culture, Meeting Street – Burns is renowned for its dynamic educational approach that intertwines traditional learning with modern teaching techniques. The school’s focus on experiential learning ensures that students at Meeting Street – Burns are not only recipients of knowledge but also active participants in their educational journey. The school exists to spark an educational revolution for the students and families in the Dorchester-Waylyn Neighborhood in North Charleston. With a commitment to creating a supportive and challenging academic environment, Meeting Street – Burns is forging a new path in public education.
“We come into work everyday truly believing that our students are capable of achieving anything that is put in front of them. Here at MSS, students are provided the opportunity to achieve success through the facilitation of well-educated teachers, resources, and a responsive classroom school environment.”
“MSA is a family. Once you’re in, you’re in. They said they would follow our kids from K-3 to college and they actually lived up to what they said they would do. Not only did MSA challenge my daughter academically but it also exposed her to new things that she probably wouldn’t have been exposed to at our previous neighborhood school. Our journey at MSA was exciting and rewarding. They actually walk the walk.”
Meeting Street Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, or national or ethnic in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships or loan programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs.
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