Story by Jen Jordan / March 7, 2024
At which MSS campus do you teach?
Meeting Street Academy – Charleston
When and why did you decide to be a teacher?
I understood from a young age that day to day life varies drastically from one family, neighborhood or community to the next. I saw this first hand growing up in a family of six with a sister who had cognitive disabilities and was non-verbal. As I got older, it was confirmed that these differences came in many forms and were directly correlated to injustices written throughout our country’s history. Having a profession that didn’t help address these inequalities seemed unnatural for me.
I started off studying to be a nurse. I quickly realized I don’t like blood. Then I transitioned to art school without the blessing of my mother (who was a struggling artist herself). My older brother had just graduated college and went into Teach for America. He enlightened me about the opportunity gap that exists because of the failing education system in our country, and how that perpetuates inequality. After being influenced by a few amazing professors, I was officially energized.
Growing up with my sister’s significant needs, who her teacher was year to year had a profound impact on our entire family’s life. Knowing she was with a teacher who truly cared for her gave us a peace of mind that cannot be bought. The reach a great teacher can have on a student, family or community is unmistakable. So I decided to dedicate my studies to students with special needs.
Where did you go to school?
University of Wisconsin – Madison GO BADGERS!
Where did you do your student teaching and what did you take away from that experience?
I did my student teaching in Madison, Wisconsin. I student-taught for 2 years and was K-12 certified at the end of it. I taught 1st grade, 7th grade and high school. I mostly learned that teaching is hard and that I had so much more to learn. I also learned how to recognize good teaching from bad teaching.
How did you decide which school you would teach at after graduating?
I wanted to work where I was needed. Therefore, I took the first job I was offered and I’m glad I did. After years of trial, error and experience, I now know what I value in a school.
Which school(s) did you teach at before coming to Meeting Street Schools?
After graduating I quickly moved to Charleston. I decided to sub first to get a lay of the land. I started out as a long term substitute at Stiles Point Elementary in a Profound Cognitive Disabilities classroom. I had some amazing teacher aids that helped welcome me to Charleston as if I was their own. I then became an Emotional Disabilities teacher at Cario Middle School. There, I learned A LOT about teaching with the heIp of some amazing itinerants, teacher aids, specialists, leaders and school psychologists. It takes a village! In this position I won Rookie Teacher of the year award for CCSD.
How did you find out about Meeting Street Schools?
I met a friend who knew Dirk Bedford (the former principal of Meeting Street Academy – Charleston) and he suggested I apply. I went in for my interview on the last day of school. Although I didn’t get to see a normal day with the kids, things seemed fun to say the least. Dirk asked me questions about the teaching field and problems within education that made my brain tingle! I knew immediately that I would be challenged in the best way. MSA was doing the work.
What makes Meeting Street Schools different, and/or why did you decide to work for Meeting Street Schools and what keeps you here?
The people. Teachers, staff, students and families. The teachers and staff make it different. MSS provides support, growth and accountability. Ultimately, the students are what keep me coming back.
What is your current position at Meeting Street Schools? Describe the journey from first starting at MSS to where you are now.
I am currently the k-5 Visual Arts Teacher at Meeting Street Academy – Charleston. I am also the Lead Art Teacher for Meeting Street Schools. I started out at MSA as a 4th grade teacher. I worked with some pretty amazing educators. Ab Watkins was my co-teacher. He wasn’t easy on me, but he helped me see things in myself (good and bad) that I never had. The feedback was constant and honest. Shavawn Milford, our current principal, was the fifth grade teacher. She was a soothing soul that kept me going. Then I had three joyful years in second grade with my co-teacher Shekinah White. In 2020, the art teacher position opened up, and I realized that my dream job was within reach. I have been the art teacher ever since. The benefits of art education are profound. I’m honored to be that person.
What career goals are you still working towards?
I am open to any opportunities where I could make my school a better place to work and learn, while keeping me in the classroom with my students.
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.
“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.
© 2024 Meeting Street Schools. All rights reserved.
