Walking away from toxic people was the moment perseverance became liberation. My peace expanded the second I stopped shrinking myself.
Cherese Thomas · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Cherese
Cherese Thomas has been in education for a decade and in the music industry, as an author and writer, for over three decades. She started writing stories and short stories, triplets, ballads, and poetry at a young age and released the book No Doubt by Cherise Thomas on Amazon.com around 2006. She is graduating with a Master of Science in Instructional Design and holds three science degrees, having received the Course Director Award and maintaining a 3.61 GPA. Currently searching for instructional design positions where she can run training classes and create training and curriculum, her most recent role was K-12 substitute teaching. After moving from Buffalo, New York, she has been based in Orlando for two years. Alongside her education work, she produces her own music, cleans up tracks, writes music, and acts as a muse for artists. She is also starting a business called Reprieve Water, a wellness product involving a 24-hour infusion process with natural energy-boosting elements, phenolics, minerals, and vitamins A, C, and D. Her personal interests include reading, writing, swimming, dancing, sports, and running.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Cherese
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to resilience, continuous learning, creativity, and the ability to adapt. My experiences in education, healthcare, music, and instructional design have taught me to approach challenges with empathy, determination, and an open mind.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to never stop learning or allow an unconventional path to limit what I believe is possible. Every experience can provide skills and lessons that contribute to future success.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women to remain authentic, continue developing their skills, and embrace both their creativity and analytical abilities. Do not be afraid to reinvent yourself or take a different path toward your goals.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the greatest opportunities in instructional design is the continued growth of artificial intelligence, multimedia, and personalized learning. The challenge is ensuring that technology enhances learning without replacing the human-centered approach that makes education effective.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Empathy, integrity, creativity, clarity, and continuous growth are the values that guide me. I believe in treating people with respect, communicating with purpose, and creating work that has a positive and meaningful impact.
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