Describe a risk you took that you do not regret.

Growing up as the only American child of a Jamaican woman, I was always told that education was important and that I should get all of the schooling that I could. You see, my mom grew up poorer than poor in her homeland and because of her poverty level, education beyond the equivalent of 8th grade was not an option for her. My mother challenged me daily to do better than my best in school, accepting nothing short of excellence from me.

However, when it came time to graduate from high school, my mom did not pressure me to go to college, she simply said that I either had to work or go to school. Well, since my best friend was going to college, I decided to go, too. Honestly, at that time in my life, I was not mentally ready for college and I had no clue what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.

• Bowie State University, Psychology major
• Bowie State University, Banking & Finance major
• Morgan State University, Marketing major
• Morgan State University, Finance major

Six years, four majors, and two colleges later I graduated from Morgan with a degree in Finance and a burning desire to never actually work in Finance. In my last semester of school, I fell in love with the social sciences and I wanted to work in a nonprofit organization. I chose not to change my major again, but instead to just press forward to see what God would do. In my pressing, God did indeed move mountains and I found work in organizations that brought me an immense amount of joy.

Fast forward to 2017. My relationship with my then-boyfriend had ended and I could no longer afford to live on my own in Virginia. I had been in a car accident that caused devastating financial, physical, and emotional distress so moving back home was my only option. Not three days after I had moved back home, I was fired from my job. While I loved the work, the commute had been horrendous since the accident and was taking a toll on my body. As I packed my things to leave the office for the last time, I felt a peace that could not be explained and I walked out of that building with a smile on my face. To be clear, I had no money and no clue what would happen next, but I still trusted God. Yet what He said next still makes me chuckle to this day.

Go to school.

By this time I had acquired a Master’s of Public Administration but not direction or a paying job. An invitation to be a volunteer at my niece’s elementary school led to an urging to become a substitute teacher in the same school district. Aside from being a student, I had never been in a classroom and had no clue how I would handle being in charge of kids. But God had a plan. That position as a sub led to a position as an Instructional Assistant and I discovered a passion for working with young people. God had shown me my calling and life’s work and I was so grateful!

Yet me being M.E., I had a moment of doubt and left my school to enter into Banking. In hindsight, I don’t know what I was thinking but a few months into the new job, I wanted out. I missed my students and I missed the adventure that came with the job. God had shown me a beautiful rainbow one day as I was entering the bank and it reminded me that God had spoken promises over my life.

When Covid hit and Banking became even less fun than it had been before, I applied frantically for any position back into the school system. How was I supposed to know then that the one YES that I would receive would lead me to where I am today?

Truth is, I didn’t know. I took a BIG risk (and pay cut) leaving a secured future in banking to go back into the classroom as an Instructional Assistant but that leap of faith turned out to be the biggest blessing of my life. Five years later, I am a Licensed High School Business teacher, a member of the Board of Directors for our teachers’ union, a national speaker and educational leader, and so much more. I say NONE of that to brag on my accomplishments, but instead to highlight the faithfulness of my God.

I regret none of my life’s choices, as they all contributed to where I am today. However, I do thank God for the one YES that continues to open doors and unlock bountiful blessings in my life.

Calling, Ms. Early 💜