Influential Woman · Education

Renee Holley

Director Of Special Education, Bessemer City Schools

Bessemer, AL

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor's Degree in Psychology Degree University of Alabama Degree 1991 Degree Certification in Special Education Degree Certification in School Psychometry Degree Certification in Administration Degree EDS in Educational Leadership Degree Doctorate in Instructional Leadership Degree Samford University Degree 2018 Cert Certification in Special Education Cert Certification in School Psychometry Cert Certification in Administration Member Alabama Association of School Psychologists Member Alabama Council of Administrators for Special Education Member Alabama Education Association Member Council for Exceptional Children Member Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools Member Council of Administrators of Special Education Member National Education Association Member Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated

Her Story

About Renee

My career journey has been one of continuous evolution and purposeful growth. I graduated from the University of Alabama in 1991 with a bachelor's degree in psychology, which led me to the Department of Mental Health where I worked at a state institution for adults with intellectual disabilities from 1992 to 1996. From there, I became a vocational coordinator for adults at United Cerebral Palsy, and then was recruited to UAB's Horizons Program, where I spent about six years teaching employment skills, career skills, life skills, and social skills to adults ages 18 to 25 with intellectual disabilities. When I got married, I decided to transition into public school in 2003, thinking I'd get summers off - though I quickly learned that's not quite the reality! I've served as a special education teacher, then transitioned to school psychometrist, then to special education programs specialist, and now I'm the Director of Special Education. Throughout this journey, I've always believed in being prepared for when the door opens, not trying to get prepared when the door opens. That's why while working in each role, I pursued additional certifications and degrees - my certification in special education, then school psychometry, then administration, my EDS in educational leadership, and finally my doctorate in instructional leadership from Samford University in 2018. Everything I've done has been driven by my desire to help individuals with disabilities, and each phase of my career has allowed me to gain more experience and knowledge in doing just that.

Quick Facts

IndustryEducation
Based inBessemer, AL
Specialty Special Education
- Compliance
- Eligibility and Service Delivery for Students with Disabilities
- Emotional Disabilities
- Behavioral Concerns
- School Psychometry
- Educational Leadership
Volunteers with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority community service programs including education and economic development initiatives
- Special Olympics host for Bessemer City Schools district

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Renee

01What do you attribute your success to?

First and foremost, I attribute my success to my faith. My faith in God is my foundation. Through my life, I've had some difficult challenges, including some profound personal losses that I've had to deal with, and I feel like God's grace and mercy has sustained me. He has strengthened me and ordered my steps. I also think trying to live a purposeful life has been key, and the people who have supported me along the way on this journey of mine have been instrumental. I believe in following the purpose that He has ordained for my life, because as long as you do that, you're not going to make any missteps.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

The first advice I always give is to pray about it and let God order your steps and direct you on your path, because as long as you follow the purpose that He has ordained for your life, you're not going to make any missteps. You just have to pray and be open to listening for Him to guide you in the way that He wants you to go, because I feel like we're all born with a purpose in life. We get kind of messed up when we try to follow our own path and not the path that has been laid out for us. I would tell them to give themselves some grace while they're trying to figure all of this out and while they're waiting for God to speak to them, because his time is not our time. Try to build some relationships along the way, and remember that once they get to where they're going, they need to reach back and pull somebody along with them. I believe in building capacity and helping others along their journey, because we wouldn't have gotten where we are if someone had not helped us.

03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

Nationwide, there is a shortage of special education teachers, which is a huge challenge that not just myself but all school districts are facing. We're also dealing with high turnover and burnout rates driven by heavy workloads and the significant needs that we're now seeing with students in terms of complex academic, behavioral, and mental health needs. That has just been really significant.

04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

First and foremost, faith is my foundation. Integrity is a non-negotiable for me. Service and advocacy is at the heart of my work. I believe in building relationships - relationships matter, whether it's personally or professionally. And I've had to learn to become very resilient to keep moving forward because of some of the challenges that I've had in my personal life that's related to loss of family members through tragic means.

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