Feature #93: Yvette Manns, Elementary Educator

Name: Yvette Manns

Current Job Position Title: Elementary Educator

Company Name: Public School System

Contact Information: yvettemanns@gmail.com

Special skills:
Creating engaging lessons, teaching students to use technology, and creating lifelong responsible citizens who love reading and reach their full potential

Describe your job story:
I have been teaching in the city of Atlanta for 5 years. I attended Clark Atlanta University (c/0 2009) as an Early Childhood Education major and was fortunate enough to get right into my field. I have taught Kindergarten, 3rd (my favorite) and for the past few months, 5th grade. I enjoy working in schools where great teachers are needed, but not always present. I had the privilege of being the 2013 Teacher of the Year, Spelling Bee coordinator and Sponsor of two chapters of the National Junior Beta Club.

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager? 

When I was a teenager, I wanted to be in the forensics field, and that is what I majored in while I attended high school in New York. That changed when I got to college, and we had to dissect a pig in lab class. I didn't have the heart (or stomach) to cut open something that was once alive. I realized that wasn't my calling.

Are doing your dream job? 

I am on the path to my dream job. I still want to make a positive impact in the lives of inner city children, yet I would like to do it outside of the classroom. That limits my impact to 20 students at a time. I know that I will be more effective in a capacity where I can touch more lives, possibly through educational reform.

What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST? 

I like/love being able to see the children develop and realize their true potential. It is amazing to see the effects of goal setting and affirmations come to fruition. The children keep your mind sharp and keep you on your toes. You have to become a better person because you are a role model for them, since they interact with you daily. Plus, they're extremely funny and keep your on your toes. The least enjoyable thing about what I do is not being able to protect your students from the outside elements. There are often environmental factors that influence your students and their mindset, such as street culture, song lyrics that glorify the wrong path in life, or others that limit their dreams. My job is open their eyes to their dreams and do whatever I can to help them accomplish them. 

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? 

In the next 5 years, I see myself as a Dean of Culture within a school. My ideal school would maintain high expectations of the students, staff and parents, while creating valuable learning experiences inside and outside of the school. I would also ensure that the teachers, students and families feel valued as a part of our school community.

Are you happy with where you are in life? 

I am grateful for the goals which I have accomplished, but I need to keep going. I can do more. I will do more. 

What more do you want to do with your life? 

I want to find a balance between work and family life, as well as travel. I want to see the world. I also want to develop my creativity, through drawing or painting. I plan to have my Doctorate degree by the time I am 30, so I plan on continuing through my higher education, which I am doing now.

What drives/motivates you?
My motivation is my family. They've worked extremely hard to provide opportunities for me that weren't available to do them. I want to make them proud.

What else do you do? 

During the summer, I have worked for nonprofit organizations, taught summer school and tutored students. For the past two years, I have been teaching seminars at colleges in Georgia to aspiring teachers about how to maximize student achievement in literacy and math. I also create and sell my lesson plans on TeachersPayTeachers.com to raise money for classroom materials.

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?

Networking is KEY. It is important to build professional relationships with colleagues in your field who can help when you're in need (and vice versa). Every position I have obtained has been through networking and professional relationships that I've formed over the years. Don't ever give up hope. Hang in there.