Story by Jen Jordan / March 14, 2024
At which MSS campus do you teach?
Meeting Street Academy – Charleston
Why did you decide to be a teacher?
I grew up in a family with lots of educators. I remember taking home my teacher’s old papers and playing school with them. My parents installed a whiteboard in my room and I had so much fun playing school. I had an incredible 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Bonneau, who went above & beyond for me. I remember thinking to myself, “I want to be that kind of teacher one day.”
Why do you choose to stay in the classroom?
I choose to stay in the classroom because I enjoy the challenge that comes with being in the classroom. I enjoy tailoring my lessons to meet the needs of my students. I also enjoy directly impacting my students and seeing their academic & social growth throughout the school year.
What is the most challenging part of being a teacher?
The most challenging part of being a teacher is seeing my scholars move on to the next grade. I try my hardest to build strong relationships with my scholars. When they move to the next grade, it’s almost like a piece of me goes with them. Luckily, the majority of my past scholars will stop by my classroom & give me a hug.
What is the most rewarding part of being a teacher?
Teaching is truly a rewarding job. I enjoy the hugs, high-fives, and pictures that I get from my scholars. I also enjoy the partnerships that I create with my students and their families. By the time my scholars leave my classroom, they become a part of my family. I also enjoy seeing past scholars leave MSA and go on to middle school & high school.
Why did you choose to teach at Meeting Street Schools?
I made the personal choice to teach at MSA because I am a firm believer that a child’s zip code should not determine their quality of education.
What makes Meeting Street Schools different?
Meeting Street Schools invests in both their teachers and scholars. Scholars are receiving a quality education and teachers are receiving quality professional development. Meeting Street Schools puts a huge emphasis on family partnerships and it makes a difference in our scholar’s education.
If you were to write a letter to yourself during your first year of teaching giving yourself advice, what would you say?
I would tell myself that it is okay to give yourself & your students grace. Every day won’t be perfect, but it’s important to put your best foot forward.
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), and MS-Jasper & Beaufort (Jasper, 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.
MSA Spartanburg stands 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. MSA Spartanburg 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.
MS Brentwood is a place where education meets opportunity. Serving the Brentwood area, this school is a testament to the transformative power of education. With a student-centered approach that celebrates diversity and encourages excellence, MS Brentwood is dedicated to equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. MS 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 MSS network.
Located in a community rich with history and culture, MS 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 MS Burns are not only recipients of knowledge but also active participants in their educational journey. MS Burns 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, MS Burns is forging a new path in public education.
MS Jasper represents the Meeting Street Schools’ dedication to community-based education with a global perspective. The school provides a nurturing environment where students are encouraged to explore their potential and cultivate a love for learning. With its diverse programs such as Eureka Math, and Wit and Wisdom, MS Jasper puts a major emphasis on character development, specialized learning and equips students to become thoughtful, engaged members of society, reflecting the MSS ethos of empowerment through education.
“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.”
“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.”
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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