Linda Pannell-Holloway

I attribute my success mostly to my upbringing. I was raised by two wonderful parents who always instilled in us the importance of getting a good education, being a good citizen, being kind and compassionate, and helping others. They always taught us to follow whatever our dreams and visions are, knowing that whatever we set our mind to do, we can do it. They were very influential in that area. My father actually fed people on the Hilltop area for many, many years, and my parents started and built a church on the south side of Columbus. They were very influential persons on the south and the west side of Columbus, and their example shaped who I am today.

One of the greatest pieces of advice that I have received throughout my career is don't give up on a student or a child just because it looks dim or the situation is dismal. Always give a second chance. That advice has shaped how I approach my work every day, especially when working with high-risk students who come to us with so many challenges. It reminds me that every student deserves another opportunity to succeed, no matter how difficult their circumstances may appear.

I would say, look for the bright spots. A lot of students will come to you, and there's so much negativity, so much that they've gone through that it's really hard to see sometimes the good in the student and the great things they can do. But if you look hard enough, if you seek long enough, you will find there are some great things about them. It's very difficult to uncover, but if you look hard enough and you dig deep enough, you will uncover those great things about that student, because every student has some greatness. You may have to look harder, you may have to look deeper, but every student has greatness. And I want to say to women, wherever your dream is, no matter how old it is, you can fulfill it. I got sidetracked because I got married and had a family, but I eventually was able to earn my PhD and go all the way. It's never too late to achieve and chase your dreams.

Within my role, some of the challenges are keeping a student motivated that really feels like they have nothing to give, or like they can't do it. That's very hard, to keep a student motivated in that realm and in that situation. It's very difficult to push a student who feels deflated or who feels like they can't do it anymore, or like they're not smart enough. I have some students who are really operating on kindergarten or first grade level, and they're eighteen or older. Because they're so low, it does present challenges that they do have to overcome, but they can do it. It's a challenge to get them there, to get in their heads that they are capable. That's the hard part, getting them to where they feel like, oh yes, I can do this. But you have to keep pushing, you have to keep working, you have to keep prying, you have to stay in their face, you have to stay in their ear. Even though many of the steps are baby steps, it's still progress. It's still enjoyable and very rewarding to see even the small progresses.

Especially in the educational field, some of the values that are most important to me are making sure that every student has the opportunity to learn, because they actually can learn. I'm not dismissing any student because they're having a hard time, or because they're not making the progress they should make, because every child can learn. I believe in always giving a student a chance, the chance that they need. I always try to instill in them that they have something in them that is great. Sometimes they have to dig a little bit deeper, but there is greatness in every student. Every student can become what they're meant to become, and I try to help instill in them and help them find their purpose. That's my job. I was raised by parents who taught me the importance of being a good citizen, being kind and compassionate, and helping others, and those values guide everything I do.