How a Spark got her Start

From as far back as I can remember, I loved two things: leading and performing. I was heavily involved in dance, school plays, and instrumental performances. Being on stage brought me great joy from the time I was four years old. I was also the teacher’s pet. Always chosen to help lead others in all things….lines, cleanup, projects, etc. I had big dreams of one day being on Broadway with a first runner up career of dancing at Walt Disney World. But, as what often happens with age, reality started to set in and I realized the chances of either of those were slim, and so I began to focus on the more conventional and possible path of education.

The world of education allowed me to utilize both of my skill sets to the utmost. Every single moment of my day was spent on the classroom stage with all eyes on me, putting on a show to inspire those in my charge to love the constitution, be inspired by Martin Luther King’s Dream, and find passion around ancient art and cultures. I was also asked to step into leadership roles beyond my classroom walls…..leading the Social Studies Department, serving on the Principal’s Advisory Board, running the school newspaper. And for a long time, this fulfilled me.

Until

I decided that the thing that was calling me even more strongly was the call to be a mother. And so after eight years in the classroom, I decided I needed to stay home with my newborn son instead of returning to the classroom. I “retired” under the premise that whenever my husband and I were done having babies and that last baby started Kindergarten, I would return to the classroom.

But life has a funny way of not going according to plan. So when the real estate market collapsed, and my realtor husband was basically out of work for two years, and our savings were long gone,? we decided I needed to return to the classroom. I was DEVASTATED at the thought of leaving my two year old son and six month old daughter in the care of anyone besides me. So, when lamenting to a college friend about this great sadness, she suggested I look to teach virtually, my mind was blown.

Because this was 2009. Virtual education for secondary school students was literally in its infancy in the state of South Carolina. It was an unknown to most (even educators like myself) and something that was not really considered a legitimate option. But I was not only desperate for a job, but desperate for a way to stay with my babies. So, I immediately searched for virtual teaching job opportunities and lo and behold, a high school Social Studies position was posted at South Carolina Connections Academy. I don’t think I have ever applied for anything faster than I did for that position.

I will tell you the complete and honest truth. I did absolutely no research about the school. I literally assumed I would be sitting at home grading papers and answering emails and was hopeful that I would make about half of what I would have expected to make if I returned to the classroom. It truly was desperate times around the Hughes Household. So when I started my phone interview and the questions were actual legitimate educational questions, such as “How do you differentiate instruction?”, and “How comfortable are you implementing an IEP?”, I thought “Hmmm. This might be a little more legit than I thought”.?

And then I interviewed in person.. I honestly thought the team hated me. They were all so serious in that interview! Didn’t crack a smile! I called my husband when leaving and told him I was fairly certain I didn’t get the job and we needed to talk about plan B. But then, like an hour later, the Assistant Principal called to offer me the job with an appropriate salary and benefits, I thought I had won the lottery. I get to be at home with the babies AND make full teacher pay?! What a dream!

But, y’all, the dream went way beyond that. Way beyond my wildest dreams. Beyond anything I thought possible in education. You see, I went into this role thinking it was a great way to make money while being with my children. And I quickly realized that while that is oh so fabulous, there is so much more to it then that. Because you can actually teach! I mean, really and truly focus on learning and not on all the noise that often takes educators away from that purpose. And you can truly build relationships with the students and staff. Because you have one on one, distraction free conversations with each and can truly listen and learn the needs of the individual rather than half paying attention because of what is happening all around you. And so, what I thought would be a band aid to fix our financial woes became a love and a passion and one that I do not envision leaving.

And when you love something and you believe in something and you drink that Kool Aid, oh and you have a strong and loud voice, well, you somehow find your way into leadership. People start to ask you to do things. And you WANT to do things to make that place you love and believe in the best possible.?

So I went from a High School Social Studies teacher, to a Teacher Manager, to a High School Assistant Principal to a High School Principal and now Executive Director. And although the roles changed, my complete and total belief in staff first and building relationships with all did not waver one second. Heck, it actually grew stronger. AND I got to fully utilize those skills identified as my super powers from long ago……..performing and leadership. I was able to craft both of these into a dream profession and back them with time proven beliefs: People first wins every time. Treating everyone the way you want to be treated repays you as a leader tenfold. Common sense decision making over blinding following all the policies and procedures has never let me down.?

I am a pretty simple girl. A glittery and sparkly kind of simple. But simple in my thoughts. And trusting my gut. I am transparent to a fault (ask my husband) and excitable to a level that is super annoying. I tend to want to jump but have begrudgingly learned that sometimes you do actually have to see what is below before you dive in. Oh, and it isn’t always a race to be the first to get it done. Sometimes it is best to let things happen slowly and gradually as opposed to being all in all the time.?

And my sparky-ness came out loud and proud! I literally could light up a room with not only my excitement and passion BUT with props. I could dress up an email with colors, fonts and emojis to drum up buy in and a following. I could use my blessing and curse of jumping into all the things to my advantage by being brave to take a risk and make sweeping changes. I was able to significantly affect the trajectory of my school, all because of my energy, magnetic, inspiring spark.?