“The kids. I love hanging out with the kids. In other jobs, I was twice removed from kids, though I still saw them, but now I get to work and interact with them every day. For one child in particular, I’m on the hunt to find a complete set of Harry Potter books because he loves reading that genre.

I also get up for each of my staffs. Both of them are awesome and I love helping them.”

“In my current role, my whole job is to support my staff. And seeing how this is positively impacting the kids is really having a significant impact. It’s so cool building the positive culture we are, and watching it spread to our kids, staff, and security team.” 

“My boss, Floyd Lyles, has been an incredible mentor to me. He allowed me to work part-time while I was in school and has created opportunities for me to grow with DJJ. As the superintendent, he’s really good at managing people. I call him with staff and student issues, and he always gives me the help and support I need.”

“To hang in there. It’s hard, and teaching in this setting is hard. I think it takes special people to be and stay in this type of role. You get to work with students who need you the most, but on the days when it’s hard, hang in there because the days that are great will really impact you in a wonderful way. It’s the coolest thing in the world because what you are doing makes a difference in their lives.”

“When I was teaching, there was a student with ADHD who hadn’t been coming to school because he was too rambunctious. I got him to commit to coming to school with the understanding that if he came, he’d earn the ability to watch these National Geographic shows together with me, something he really liked. I realized during this time that he had undiagnosed dyslexia. Having built that rapport with him really helped rebuild his understanding of the importance of school. Ultimately, he went on to tell others that I was his favorite teacher (chuckles).”

“Just a constant stream of joy and positivity is something I look to consistently spread to others. When I see these kids, it gives me genuine, pure, joy that I love to pass along to others.

I also feel listening and empowering others to utilize their strengths, which leads to great teamwork, is so important to pass along as well. I had a teacher leading an orientation for the start of this school year. He put together a PowerPoint presentation and kicked off the school year. He really led and set the tone for the school year, even among those that weren’t teachers or students. It brought him (and others) great joy and was something I could have never accomplished in the way that he did without listening and delegating to him.”

“I wish that our system was more rehabilitative and less punitive. At DJJ, we really don’t have much of a say in who comes here. Our facilities don’t have to look like prisons and while I know that some of the kids have done some bad things, I wish we could be better in this capacity.

Also, we can improve upon what happens to these kids once they leave us. They return to these horrific environments and then we wonder why they come back. Being more proactive than reactive would be helpful in helping reduce recidivism.”

“I would like to think that I’ve helped students be more than they thought they could be. That I’ve given them some excitement around the idea and execution of educating them. Even if it’s only one kid, to know that I’ve added value to their life is such a great feeling.”

“I have three Australian Shepherds. My mom and I worked with an organization called, Australian Shepherd Forever. I also foster dogs on occasion. My boyfriend and I also enjoy working out and are both into true crimes, though he works in this field, and I enjoy watching the shows (which he doesn’t, LOL).”