Jana Edwards

I definitely believe it's my upbringing of my mom and dad, so it's just always treated everybody the same. They taught us that you teach people how you want to be treated, and an important part of the equity and belonging and justice and unity were encouraged just by example. And that's what my parents did, raising me, and that's just part of who I am, and that's what I think gets me going each day, is just how I can serve others and how my community helped make me who I am.

Follow your heart. As women, we tend to be very nurturing, and so I think the education field is a perfect place for a lot of women to thrive. Also give yourself self-worth. Sometimes we give too much of ourselves that we don't give back to ourselves, so finding that time, like I do, to run every day. The education field is so rewarding, and it's such a noble job, and I would do it all over again. Make time for self, because that's what allows you to keep giving to others.

The opportunities are that I get to build positive relationships with students and just be an advocate for them. My role is building that trust, and knowing that it takes several adults to groom our youth. It takes a village. We need mom, dad, grandma, the principal, the church, servants, and so on. All of us working together to make sure that we have a smile for each of our young adults when they come through our doors. It's that positive relationship and advocating for kids.

Definitely trust and dependability. Showing up for each other. And finding grace. We can always find negatives in people and interactions, and I think if we encounter each conversation with finding the positive and giving grace and listening to understand and not respond. The communication piece is the one thing that helps me thrive in what I do and what I try to do in relationships with my students, my coworkers, my family. The idea of the positive communication, finding grace, and always looking at the positive instead of the negative.