WHO IS TIERRA DIONNA?
A STRAIGHT UP
OVERCOMER
I WOULD LIKE TO THINK OF MYSELF AS A SUPER COOL DAUGHTER, SISTER, EDUCATOR, SPEAKER, CONNECTOR AND FRIEND. HAILING FROM THE QUEEN CITY, CHARLOTTE NC. I WAS THE FIRST FEMALE IN MY FAMILY TO ATTEND COLLEGE, SO I CHOSE WISELY, I GRADUATED FROM THE BEST HBCU IN THE LAND, WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY! “ I DARE YOU TO SAY SOMETHING AWESOME”
I RECEIVED MY DEGREE IN BUSINESS MARKETING AND WENT ON TO PURSUE A CAREER IN CORPORATE AMERICA. HONESTLY, I LOVED THE COMMAS ON MY PAYCHECK, I MEAN THE SALARY WAS HITTIN'. I DIDN'T LOVE MY CAREER THOUGH. I USE TO DESPISE SUNDAY EVENINGS. I KNEW I WAS ONLY A SHUT EYE AWAY FROM GOING TO A JOB I LOATHED.
I NO LONGER WANTED MONEY TO BE A DETERMINING FACTOR OF MY FUTURE. I WANTED TO BE GENUINELY FULFILLED. BECAUSE OF MY LOVE FOR THE YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS, I STEPPED OUT ON FAITH AND BECAME A EDUCATOR, IT HAS BEEN THE BEST, YET REWARDING DECISION I'VE EVER MADE.
I LOVE TEACHING!!! I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF SITTING FRONT ROW IN EACH OF MY STUDENTS LIVES AND SHARE THEIR EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY TOGETHER. I PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH COMMON CORE STANDARDS, MET WITH REAL LIFE SCENARIOS THAT WILL APPLY OUTSIDE OF THE FOUR WALLS OF SCHOOL
IN THIS PROCESS I WATCH STUDENTS LEARN, GROW, DEVELOP, RESIST, CHALLENGE, EMBRACE, AND ENDURE, UNTIL THEY COME OUT PURE AS GOLD!
MY FAITH SOFTENS MY HEART TOWARD DOING GOOD FOR OTHERS, SO IN MY FREE TIME I CREATE OR JOIN ALONGSIDE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO GIVE BACK IN MY COMMUNITY. ONE OF THE BEST FEELINGS IN THE WORLD IS HELPING SOMEONE WITHOUT EXPECTING ANYTHING IN RETURN. THE SMILE ON THEIR FACE MAKES IT ALL WORTH IT.
I BELIEVE I WAS CALLED TO THE CLASSROOM TO CHANGE MINDSETS. I AIM TO INSPIRE TEENS , YOUNG ADULTS AND MILLENIALS TO THINK BIG, DREAM, AND VISUALIZE WHAT THEY CAN ACHIEVE ON AN AUDACIOUS SCALED DESPITE THE HARSH REALITIES OF LIFE.
YOU KNOW A STRAIGHT UP OVERCOMER!
