HipandTeach

I started off teaching 7th grade Special Education in 2002. I had one TMR student in a class of EMR students. At that time TMR was an acronym for Trainable Mental Retardation and EMR was an acronym for Educable Mental Retardation. My TMR student functioned on a Kindergarten level and my other students ranged from 2nd - 5th grade levels in reading and math. The next year, I went to the high school and taught LD (learning disabled) students in 9th & 12th grade English, and 9th grade World Geography (Inclusion). It was an amazing experience. It was during that experience that I would later realize Geography and History were my passions. I left teaching for a chance to work as a Fashion Buyer with a major retailer in Dallas, Texas. Much to my dismay, it was nothing like I anticipated. I returned and began working as a Retail Business Specialist for a major beauty chain. Even though I was in my dream industry, I always thought about my former students and longed to be back in the classroom. My old school system called me for a chance to come back to education and I thought about the long hours, and excessive work schedules I was asked to work as a manager. I decided to come back to teaching. I started teaching fifth grade English. I remained there for three years, until the Principal saw me drawing on my board one day and asked if I'd like to teach Art. I taught Art the following year and had a blast, but the teacher who took my place in fifth grade English was doing a terrible job teaching and the Superintendent asked if I'd come back to English. Of course, I did and helped whip those kids back into shape. I went to sixth grade English the next year and after two years, ended up on a major TV show for a cake reality show competition. Afterwards, I decided to take a chance at having my own bakery. It was the hardest job I've ever had. I was stressed, broke, raising a daughter with no benefits, and up to my head in cake flour. I decided after a year, it was never a passion, just a hobby that took on a life of its own because of the television show. I returned to teaching and discovered the atmosphere of public school was too challenging and daunting on my inner values, independent nature, love for being creative, and my belief system. I always enjoyed creating and designing and what ended up as a visit to Los Angeles, turned into a full-time career doing what I love! I still want to share my gift with educators and help alleviate their plate...because I know how overwhelming it can be.

Hip and trendy. I used creative strategies to teach concepts that need a little revival from its archaic roots. I loved my inner-city, urbanites...who many have written off and given up any faction of hope or promise in their future. I love technology and find new and exciting ways to incorporate what the students genuinely love in the classroom.

Defined Stem Pilot Test Participant Leadership Award Recipient I Make A Difference Award Recipient

Hampton University - Public Relations Virginia Commonwealth University - Art History

I created Hip & Teach to offer something new in the education design field, especially for secondary teachers. Many of the supplemental materials and design elements of the education sector are all targeted to the elementary levels with feminine aesthetics. I would like to create well-designed materials that are more unisex and on-trend.