Physical Education/Health Teacher

The significant factors that influenced my journey to becoming a teacher were my desire to make a positive impact and my love for physical activity. I have had a handful of amazing teachers in my life, whose impact I strive to embody each day. Through prior careers and coaching, I grew to appreciate the influence I had on children’s development mentally, physically, and emotionally. Becoming a teacher was not only about imparting knowledge and information; it was about shaping the minds and hearts of our future generations. I have found tremendous benefits in my continued physical activity into adulthood. Not only are there physical advantages, but also mental, emotional and social benefits.

I want to show future generations that there is more to physical activity than meets the eye. Students can not only increase their physical health, but also their mental and emotional well-being, academic performance, and overall quality of life. I instill in my students that nothing is more important than their health. I enjoy being a mentor, a role model, and a source of encouragement. I do my best to make my students believe that they can achieve anything they set their minds to. By helping them develop a growth mindset, where they see challenges as opportunities for growth and learning, they can foster a positive mindset, overcome obstacles, and embrace failure on the road to excellence.

An outstanding teacher typically holds a passion for their subject, a belief in the potential of every student, and a commitment to fostering a positive learning environment. They should believe in the value of education to empower individuals and society. A strong teacher, in my opinion, is patient, understanding and a role model. I believe that teachers should prioritize the understanding of each student's unique needs and adapt their teaching methods accordingly. We should also recognize the importance of ongoing professional development to stay effective and innovative in our approach. Teachers should grow with the evolution and innovation of teaching in the 21st century. I ensure that my students are connected to the world around them by incorporating global perspectives and real-world relevance into lessons. I introduce culturally diverse sports and activities and discuss their origins and significance. As a class, we explore the impact of physical activity on mental health and well-being and connect it to various global initiatives in promoting a healthy lifestyle. I continuously incorporate discussions about sports events from around the world, fostering awareness of different cultures and promoting a sense of global citizenship. Additionally, I involve community-based projects and events to link physical education to the local environment, such as collaborating with organizations to provide safe walking and biking routes to our school and bring awareness to safe driving initiatives in NJ. I’ve also worked to invite several branches of the US Military to exercise with the students to build confidence and overall rapport. Immersing students in lessons that they directly relate to and benefit from, is the best was to engage students.

School Nurse

The factors that influenced me to choose the profession of “nursing” were my fervent desire to model after my late mother, who was a nurse, along with my resolve to help others and render health/community services to underserved communities to reduce health inequalities. School Nursing is a unique specialty that affords me the opportunity to provide culturally competent evidenced-based care, collaborate with legislators, community-based partners, and professional organizations. As an advocate for social action, I wrote a letter to the Honorable Joseph P. Cryan in support of two New Jersey Legislative Bills (S1221 and A3211) that were sponsored by Senator M. Teresa Ruiz and Assemblywoman Shanique Speight to end Period Poverty for menstrual equity; a social action initiative of Central Jersey Alumnae Chapter’s Social Action Committee and Delta Emergency Response Team of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated in collaboration with The Flow Initiative. As a result, both bills passed and now there is a New Jersey law to provide menstrual hygiene products to disadvantaged young women in school districts, including Elizabeth Public Schools, at no cost.

My commitment to address health equity has led me to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. every February with the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) for NBNA Capitol Hill Day, where nurses meet with legislators to discuss and advocate on topics that are important to nurses and African American communities. Having a voice at the table, advocating for change, and influencing health policies is necessary and empowering.

As a school nurse, I am committed to empower and educate the youth. I currently work for High School students at Thomas A. Edison Career & Technical 9th Grade at Charles W. Harris Academy advocating for quality student-centered care. Some of my responsibilities include: Health screenings (Height, Weight, Blood Pressure, Scoliosis, Hearing, & Vision); Medication administration; Caring for students with special needs, Asthma, Diabetes, ADHD, Epilepsy, eating disorders, obesity, chronic diseases, substance misuse, mental health disorders, injuries, infectious diseases, and viruses; and, provide emotional support and health/educational resources for students and their families.

I will continue to utilize my nurse leadership skills to effect change, enhance the practice of School Nursing, and foster diversity, equity, equality, and inclusion. Serving on the frontline to ensure fair and equitable access to quality care and academic success is one of my greatest rewards. I pride myself in “making a difference” for a safe and healthy school-community. I am honored to be a recipient of this prestigious Governor’s Award - Educational Service Professional of the Year.