Her Story
About LaMonica
I have been a teacher for 25 years, and I thought many years ago that I would love it, and I was right. I currently teach 5th grade, which I just started teaching this year for the first time. I am currently at Forest Glen in Indiana, though I will be moving to a different school this fall. My daily work involves instructing students, mentoring students, managing behavior, assessing students, working with colleagues, planning with colleagues, meeting with administrators, and interacting with parents. The most challenging aspect of my position is the academic range of students within the classroom. I attribute my success to being personable, flexible, creative, and determined that all my students succeed. I hold an ENL certification, an educational neuroscience certification, a reading specialty license, and a kindergarten endorsement. I received my bachelor's degree in 2002 and am close to completing my master's degree. I am a green certified teacher and am big into ecology, which is my next horizon. My goal is to open a green school down the road. I run a community garden and garden club, and I recently worked with the city to start the Lawrence Township Community Garden this summer, which will include both hydroponic and traditional gardens. This is particularly important to me because our community is largely black and brown, and I feel we need to make access to community gardens an imperative.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with LaMonica
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think I'm personable, I think I'm flexible, I think I'm creative, and I am determined. I am determined that they all succeed. These qualities have helped me navigate the challenges of teaching and ensure that every student in my classroom has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of the wide academic range I encounter.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Never stop starting. This advice has guided me throughout my 25-year career in education and continues to inspire me as I pursue new horizons, like my goal of opening a green school and launching community garden initiatives.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage them to discover why they're doing what they're doing. You need to discover your path for reasons. You have to have a reason. Teachers are not well paid, we are not well respected, we are not well anything. So if you're going to do this, you need to know why. And then that is what guides you. You need to have a firm belief. What is your firm belief? What are you seeking to do? Because without that strong sense of purpose, it will be difficult to sustain yourself in this field.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Personableness, individuality, and uniqueness are very important to me. It's important to me that everyone is treated with respect, based upon who they are. That's important to me as a teacher, and that's important to me as a mom. I just feel that that's essential. I value differences. Value them, appreciate them, celebrate them. This belief guides how I interact with my students, my own four children, and everyone I encounter in my community work.
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