Influential Woman · Education
Virginia Currin
Retired - Educator, Education
Arlington, TX 76001
Her Story
About Virginia
Virginia Currin is a retired educator whose distinguished career in education spanned more than five decades, beginning in 1970 after she graduated from Baylor University. She began her teaching career in the elementary grades before expanding her experience to junior high and high school education. Currin later transitioned to higher education, serving as an adjunct instructor of educational psychology at Wichita State University for 21 years before retiring in 2023. Throughout her career, she remained committed to helping students succeed by understanding and responding to diverse learning needs.
Currin holds a bachelor's degree from Baylor University, a master's degree in special education with a focus on evaluation from the University of Texas at Tyler, and a doctorate from Texas A&M University. Her areas of expertise include history, special education, and gifted and talented education. She attributes her professional success to resilience, determination, and the inner strength she credits to her faith. Her personal experiences, including navigating dyslexia and attention-related challenges, strengthened her commitment to understanding individual learning differences. She has long encouraged educators to treat every student with dignity and respect, emphasizing that no teacher should say or do anything to a child that they would not say or do if the child's mother were sitting in the classroom.
Now retired, Currin continues to remain engaged in her community and professional interests as a member of the Texas Retired Teachers Association. She is also passionate about service and animal welfare, volunteering her time by fostering dogs for animal welfare organizations. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys sewing, designing and altering clothing patterns, making jewelry, and writing fiction. She began exploring jewelry making in 2016 and has continued pursuing creative projects, including work on a novel she started that same year. Her enduring curiosity, creativity, compassion, and commitment to learning continue to shape this next chapter of her life.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Virginia
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the strength, fortitude, and determination God has given me. I have always had a deep inner drive that kept pushing me forward, even through life’s most difficult moments. After my second husband passed away, I made the decision to return to school and pursue my doctorate while continuing to work full-time. I did not overthink the challenge; I simply trusted my faith, drew on my resilience, and moved forward. That perseverance and unwavering belief have guided me throughout my journey and enabled me to accomplish things I once never imagined.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to treat every student as though their mother is sitting in the back of the classroom. I believe we should never say anything to a child that we would not be comfortable saying in front of their parent. Every student deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion, regardless of the circumstances. I have always believed that we should never condemn, embarrass, or humiliate a child in front of others, but instead create an environment where they feel valued, supported, and encouraged to succeed.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are creativity, lifelong learning, perseverance, and meaningful connections with others. I enjoy expressing my creativity through sewing, designing and altering clothing patterns, making jewelry, and even creating curtains for friends. I began exploring jewelry making in 2016 by taking a class at Jo-Ann, and I continue to enjoy developing my skills and taking on new projects. I also value growth and challenging myself, which led me to begin writing a novel in 2016 despite having no prior experience with fiction. Writing has become a rewarding and enjoyable creative outlet alongside my academic and professional work. I also cherish my love of music, having sung and played guitar when I was younger, and I find great joy in spending time with my three dogs and cat.
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