TEACH: When did your interest in education begin?
MS: My high school counselor, Mrs. Carolyn Worsham, was instrumental in putting me on the trajectory toward education and was also influential in my becoming a counselor later in my career. When discussing my post-graduation plans with her, she said, “I really see you in education” and guided me through what that could look like for me. That’s when my interest was born. Having someone whom I really admired tell me that education was something I could do,
and validate that interest in me, was really meaningful. Later on, when I started teaching and seeing how many students needed someone like Mrs. Worsham to be their advocate, I decided to pursue school counseling.

TEACH: What do you love most about working in education?
MS: There are so many things! If I had to narrow it down to one thing, it would be the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with students that brings me the most joy. Being able to provide a positive and nurturing learning environment and seeing those students’ progress first-hand is extremely rewarding. I’ve always prided myself on that. I am still close to many of the students from the very first class I taught. I’ve been invited to weddings, baby showers, etc. In fact, one of my former students asked if I would tutor her child! It was a full-circle moment and a tremendous honor.