P.E.A.R.L.S. Mentoring for Girls, Inc. recognizes Teacher and Nurses Week alongside Mental Health Awareness Month

May is a month filled with many observational holidays. The most popular of them being Teachers Appreciation Week, Nurses Week, and Mental Health Awareness Month. Meet some our of Board Members, Mentors, and Parents who are changing lives outside of P.E.A.R.L.S everyday in their fields.

I chose the mental health profession because I have a great desire to encourage, empower, and help others cope with the challenges and stresses of life.

- Melinda Harvey, Children Mental Health Supervisor
   P.E.A.R.L.S. Mentoring for Girls, Inc. Board Member

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I became an educator by accident and I stayed because I loved the positive and lasting impact I could have on my students. I became a counselor because children are little people who suffer trauma and emotional issues just like adults but often don’t have the skills they need to cope.

Latosha Brown, School Counselor
P.E.A.R.L.S. Board Member

I chose to work in the mental health profession with a preference of children because often mental illnesses are overlooked in kids as just "not getting their way" or "typical kid/teenage stuff". A lot of our children & youth are silently suffering, I know because I was once in their shoes. So I wanted to be the change that I hope to see and give them someone to talk too as well as help them identify their triggers and coping skills for stressful situations. So that they will know how to handle themselves and never forget that they are in control. One bad moment does not mean a bad life.

- Alexandriaa Washington, School Based Therapist
   P.E.A.R.L.S. Mentor

I originally worked in the Human Resource field but after having two kids with a disability, I had to make some major changes if I wanted them to be successful in school and life. Needless to say, for years I was very frustrated at the lack of support given to me and my family and the negative stigma associated with students who have disabilities.
 
I finally came to the realization that I could not wait on someone else to help, guide, and accept my children, so I designated myself as their main source of support. Therefore, I asked God if he would give me the knowledge, patience, and wisdom to educate my children, with his guidance, I would pursue a career in education.
 
As time passed, with the support of my family members, I was able to implement intervention strategies for home and reinforce those strategies used at school.
Consequently, I kept my promise to become a teacher and to give back to the students who needed me the most …. students with disabilities.

I am currently the Assistant Chief of Special Education at the Greenwood Leflore Consolidated School District. However, my passion for students with disabilities has also led me to volunteer as the Area 15 Director for Special Olympics and the Director of Communication for the Greenwood-Leflore Autism Spectrum Society (GLASS). However, I am humbly waiting on God to led me to the next chapter in my book.   ​

- Linda Payne, Asst. Chief of Special Education at Greenwoood Leflore Consolidated School District
​   P.E.A.R.L.S. Mentor

I chose Education because I’ve always had a passion for teaching and making a difference in youthful lives; my mom also inspired me to become an educator as well.

Samara Rand, Educator at Holmes County Central High
P.E.A.R.L.S. Mentor

​I chose this profession in hopes of one day making a difference in someone’s life. To encourage them and help them realize their potential.


​KeAira Smith,
​Educator at S.V. Marshall Middle
​  P.E.A.R.L.S. Mentor

I chose to become an educator because I have a passion for working with children!

I JUST LOVE CHILDREN!!


Nikita McIntyre
Educator
  P.E.A.R.L.S. Parent

I chose this field because my prior experiences has given me the passion to teach, care, love, and cultivate the young minds of children beyond my expectations. I chose to teach because I love seeing the difference that I can make in the life of a child.

- Ctarchema Miller Wilkes
   Early Headstart Educator
​   P.E.A.R.L.S. Mentor

We have all had that one teacher that made us feel special, made us feel like we were somebody, motivated us or that made us feel like we were capable of doing anything and I want to some day have that same impact on students. I believe that the children are our future and I believe every single child is capable of unlocking their true potential and greatness with the help of great educators, so I chose to become an educator to help make an outstanding difference in our young scholars lives.

​- Sharmonia Adams,
   Teacher at William Dean Elementary School
   P.E.A.R.L.S. Mentor

As a child growing up, I always knew I wanted to be two things in life - a teachers and a nurse. I cherish the opportunity to help and care for others. Often times, I'm asked, "What are your weaknesses?" I simply say, "Putting others before myself." I am guilty of being a good servant rather than being selfish and unconcerned. Upon graduating high school, I made the decision to purse a degree in education first and set a goal to pursue nursing next. After teaching school for eight years, I felt I had mature mentally and was ready to continue my education into the nursing field.

As a registered nurse today, I always start my shift with the understanding that I am here to either change someone's life or become a testimony of someone changing my life. 

-Evita Bonner, RN
  P.E.A.R.L.S. Parent

God Why?

First, I want to say I struggled with him choosing me for a task with this magnitude. He assured me that he needed me to go into buildings where the lives of students existed. God chose me to not only educate and motivate but he gave me permission to love our students as my own. He reminded me daily to remind them after every class who they are by loving them in spite of any adversity that appeared. I stand boldly and confess as long as there is breath in my body, as long as I have the activity of my limbs, health, and strength, I will EDUCATE OUR STUDENTS TO BE GREAT, NEVER MISS THEIR OPPORTUNITY, and to cherish every season of life.

- Kimberly Patton
   P.E.A.R.L.S. Parent, Visual Art Educator at
​   Williams Sullivan Middle

It’s funny how the plans you have for yourself are not necessarily the plan God has for you. I’ve always said I would never teach within a classroom setting. I have always wanted a double career because I was so passionate about the medical field and being the change needed in the field of criminal justice. I simply wanted to save lives and transform the lives of people who were given a second chance at life.

After working 11 years in the medical field and 12 years in corrections, I needed to chose my family. My girls had grown up before my eyes. All I had was second hand memories of big moments in their lives that I missed due to working. So in 2017 I decided that I was going to find a job that allowed me to spend more time with my girls. In 2018, I became a certified teacher.

I was committed to being a full time mom while educating others. My girls were 12th grade and 8th grade. I finally had the perfect job but a challenging one. However, it was no biggie because I adapt to change well. I was no longer missing their important moments and this particular year was their biggest moments yet. My oldest was graduating high school and would soon be off to college. My youngest was promoting from middle school to high school. I just couldn’t miss out again.

These last 3 years I have grown from having 2 daughters to hundreds of little people that depend on me and whom I care about deeply. Young minds that I help mold because their lives matter too.

​Today, I am truly grateful and honored to be an Educator and Coach (volleyball & basketball)!

-Tamnral A. Johnson-Rice, Educator at Greenwood Middle School
​  P.E.A.R.L.S. Parent

I’ve been a Certified Medical Assistant for over ten years and an EMG tech for five years. My anxiety has been thru the roof these last couple weeks. I’ve been on the front line swabbing for the virus and screening those that have been exposed.

I love the profession I’m in, I love people and caring for them. 

- Daphne Webster Quinn
   Certified Medical Assistand and EMG Tech
   P.E.A.R.L.S. Parent

Joyce Watson, Medical Surgical Nurse
   P.E.A.R.L.S. Parent
   Parent of the Year 2019-2020

Terri Anderson, LPN
   P.E.A.R.L.S. Parent

Tomika Landfair, Educator
P.E.A.R.L.S. Parent

Crystal Dean Benson
Educator
P.E.A.R.L.S. Parent

LaTonya Jones
Educator at Mississippi Valley State University
Intro to Data Processing Educator