Sylvia Watkins

I have been teaching for 27 years, and I am currently completing my 27th year as a 5th grade teacher at a performing arts elementary school here in Atlanta. When I first started teaching straight out of college, I was only 21 years old teaching 6th graders who were 11 and 12, so I wasn't too much older than they were. I started in St. Louis, Missouri, at the same school district I graduated from, teaching 6th grade social studies. My principal was actually my 8th grade history teacher, and he showed incredible faith in me early on. During either my first or second year, when his mother suddenly passed away and he took a leave of absence, he asked me to assist the veteran teacher who was taking his place. That kind of experience gave me a really solid foundation for my career. I have primarily stayed in the classroom throughout my 27 years, teaching social studies and reading. My minor during undergrad was theater, so I have always had productions with the kids at the different schools I have been in. This past October, we did a mini production during Hispanic Heritage Month. For the last 3 years, I have been teaching ELA, and just yesterday my principal asked me about taking over the drama department for next school year, which has given me extra fuel to keep going a little while longer. Beyond teaching, I have been blessed with many different layers to my work. Back in St. Louis, I was asked to be a co-host of a radio show during the time of the Michael Brown uprising to give a professional and spiritual perspective. That led to starting my own radio show, and then a local cable talk show focused on health and wellness during my weight loss journey. During the pandemic, I published my first book, which is Christian-based and shares my life, professional, and relationship experiences from a Christian perspective. I have done book tours and public speaking to promote the book, and I started working on my second book this year. I completed my master's in Education Administration back in 2008.