Her Story
About Letonya
Letonya Brown is an educational technology and education professional with over 25 years of experience in education and approximately 13 years focused on ed tech. She currently works as a Technical Success Partner at Accelerate Learning, a role she began recently, where she assists teachers, students, and school districts in navigating the company's platforms and provides technical support for access and program features. Brown holds a bachelor's degree in Math and Computer Science with a minor in Chemistry from Oakwood University and a Master's in Math Education, Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix earned in 2010. She is also a Certified Pharmacy Technician. In addition to her current position, she has experience returning to classroom teaching while overseeing technology for an entire school, for which she was recognized as Teacher of the Month. Brown attributes her success to dedication, hard work, and the guidance of strong managers from her past.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Letonya
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to dedication and hard work. Those who have come before me, meaning people who I've worked under. I had some very great managers that trained me well. And I would say I dedicate it to them, and also, of course, to my boys. They keep me striving for more.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is from Beatrice Barnellis, who was my director when I was on the EdTech team. She's always said that never stay complacent. Always try to strive for better and more, because there's always going to be someone that's always going to know more than you, but the smartest person in the classroom is the one that listens more attentively. It's not the one that knows everything, but it's the one that is the most quiet, and the one that is observing and taking in everything and processing it.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never let anyone dim your light. You know, women, we carry so much, and it doesn't matter your ethnicity or race. We carry the world on our shoulders, and never let anyone dim your role in your personal life or at work. Because we sacrificed a lot... a lot in both. Always be confident in what you do. And just let your, your life's work speak through you.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the challenges is that it's becoming more competitive to stay in the lane that I'm in right now. Everyone, for instance, I know a lot of teachers, educators, are actually leaving the classroom, and they're looking more into doing helping schools. Either by consulting, starting their own business, or either in joining the ed tech world like I did.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I would say transparency for both, especially for work. Especially with the field that I'm in now, and working with customers, I believe that I need to have integrity and be transparent with them. Let them see that I am passionate about what I do. And I'm really here to serve them, and to make sure that they have all the tools they need to succeed in the classroom. And I would say, personally, I will also say that I value transparency, loyalty, integrity. Honestly.
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