DeMonica Cooper Amerson

I think what has led me to the success that I've had in this career is that I knew why I was doing it. I have taught and been a principal in the same area that I grew up in as a child, and my why was me giving back to the community that gave so much to me. My faith in God and my family have been absolutely essential - my faith won't let me quit. I really just believe wherever God has me in the season I'm supposed to do his will, his work. I'm his feet, I'm his mouth. So I just give it my all, regardless of the circumstances. I also had the example of my older brother who was the first person in our family to go to college, and I followed in his path as the first female to go and graduate. My mother, who we nicknamed Mother Teresa, showed me what it meant to be a servant leader through her constant giving and helping others. I saw that a lot as a kid, and so I knew that was a part of my core - it's always been about service, being a servant leader and supporting as many people as I can along my journey.

One thing I told them is never, ever forget your why. Why are you doing this work? And don't let it be centered around money, or time off, or any of that, the things you think you're going to get. Let your why be centered on how you can change someone's life. What everyday activity, or what can you do each day to make sure you've made a difference in a child's life? So never forget your why. It's the biggest piece of encouragement I can give people coming into this field. You need to know why you're doing it, and then build on top of that. I also want young women to know that there's no limit. Whatever you want to do, you can do it. Whatever you want to go after, you can go after, and don't let your circumstances dictate all of that and all of your forward movement. I was diagnosed with an incurable disease, multiple sclerosis, in 2001 when I was in college, and I did not let that diagnosis dictate my destination. My mantra is: I have many reasons to quit, but I don't have the right.

I would say some major opportunities - being in a public school setting, I get to touch so many different people. I come in contact with people of all walks of life, from parents to community leaders to young people to young, young people. The challenge would be that I may not have the immediate capacity to work with the need. The need is so heavy, so it's finding the balance, making sure that I, along my journey, can pour into as many people as I can without losing me and my family and the people that I have to serve every day. The need is definitely huge, especially now in our society with mental health, and our young people experiencing mental health even earlier. God has equipped me with gifts, skills, and abilities to help them, but I also have to make sure I don't forget I also need to help people in my home that are teenagers. Because I love what I do so much, I don't see it as a challenge. I do see it as an opportunity.