Her Story
About Vickie R.
Vickie R. Mangram is a distinguished educator, coach, and mentor who recently retired after more than 30 years of service in Health and Physical Education. Throughout her career, she dedicated herself to promoting student wellness, athletic excellence, and personal growth, beginning as a Middle School Health and Physical Education Teacher before expanding into leadership and collegiate roles. She served as a Graduate Assistant at Georgia Southern University, head volleyball and tennis coach at several institutions at the high school and college level at Spelman College. Even in retirement, Dr. Mangram looks forward to remaining active in promoting literacy & math, camp coordinator, and community-based youth programs. Dr. Mangram earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the Fort Valley State University, a Master of Education from Georgia Southern University, where she was received the Outstanding Graduate Assistant Award, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Argosy University. She has numerous County workshops and presentations on Literacy and Math, Ways to Relieve Stress in the Workplace, Big Brother- Big Sister Fitness Campaign, etc. Her coaching career was marked by numerous accomplishments, including leading her teams to County and Regional Championships, winning the 2017 Clayton County Volleyball High School Tournament, and hosting the Clayton State Volleyball Tournament. In recognition of her leadership and success, she was named Region Coach of the Year by her peers. Her professional philosophy centers on providing students with meaningful opportunities to develop healthy lifestyles, confidence, and resilience, while advocating for educational programs that prioritize the needs of children over standardized testing. Having overcome homelessness on her path to earning multiple college degrees, Dr. Mangram credits her success to perseverance, faith, and the encouragement of mentors, particularly her high school principal and coach, Reverend Robert L. Williams, Sr. who recognized her potential early in life. She believes integrity, honesty, and clear communication are essential both professionally and personally, and she is passionate about creating mentoring and after-school programs that support underserved youth. Through decades of teaching, coaching, and inspiring others, Dr. Mangram has left a lasting legacy of leadership, compassion, and service, earning recognition as one of the featured women in Influential Women 2026.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Vickie R.
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to resilience and determination. Coming from a background of homelessness, I refused to let my circumstances define my future. Earning my college degree was a personal milestone, and I'm proud to inspire young people who may believe their goals are out of reach by showing them what's possible through perseverance.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received came from, Mr. Robert L. Williams Sr., my high school principal, coach, and boss when I became a teacher.. He would always tell me, "Vickie, Vickie, you've got something special—you just don't know it yet." He recognized my potential before I did and encouraged me to pursue teaching and coaching, which ultimately shaped my career. Mr. Williams was there for me as a youth and decades later still by my side to, applaud my milestone achievement, retirement. Hats off to such a GREAT inspiring leader, that missed his calling as a comedian.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never let your current circumstance be your compass in life, because delay does NOT mean denial.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in education today is the growing emphasis on test scores and performance metrics over the needs of students. I believe the greatest opportunity lies in returning the focus to the children—building meaningful relationships, fostering their growth, and restoring the joy that makes teaching such a rewarding profession. More concerning, the politics and lack of accountability rendered to hired relatives and friends, which in return only affects the students learning and teaching moral.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, honesty, and open communication are the values that guide both my professional and personal life. I believe these principles are essential for building trust, creating meaningful relationships, and making a positive impact as a team for the students we serve.
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