So what changed for you, and brought you back to SFHS as a teacher?
When I started high school, I had wanted to be a teacher, probably early elementary. I took a lot of art classes then. As I went through high school, I discovered that I had a passion for marketing, and took so many of those classes that I wanted to pursue that. I realized quickly during my marketing major just how much math was involved - accounting, finance, economics, even calculus - which were not my best areas. That led me to advertising, but I decided to narrow my career path to possibly event planning or hospitality, which is why i studies public relations. When I was a senior in college, I realized my desire for teaching was still there, so I stayed at the University of Georgia to earn a master’s degree in marketing education to blend my two passions.
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This is now my ninth year as a high school marketing teacher at SFHS, and I think I have the best job in the world. SFHS prepared me incredibly well.  I worked with real businesses in my high school marketing classes. When I started UGA, I was surprised that we wouldn’t really work with a real business in our classes until junior or senior year. Most of my first level classes in marketing, advertising, and public relations covered material I already learned in my marketing classes at South.

What were some of your best high school memories?
When I was in high school, DECA organized the homecoming dance. Each year I enjoyed helping with homecoming, but my senior year I really had the opportunity to lead the planning and carry out my vision for the dance. We got the miss an entire day of classes to decorate. It was a blast. Getting to take on leadership roles in DECA and some other organizations, like National Technical Honor Society and Key Club, helped me grow as a person and were also a lot of fun.
Lots of my best high school memories are from hanging out in places my current students would think are “really far away.” Hanging out at places like North Point Mall, The Regal Movie Theater at Medlock Crossing, and the Forum in Norcross. We were not lucky enough the have the Collection across the street yet. 

Would you recommend students who aren't interested in marketing and business still take some of your classes?
Absolutely! As a PR major, I learned a large amount of journalism and writing skills, and I bring those lessons into my classes to help my students become better writers. I tell students all the time that there are a huge number of applications for what we learn in marketing classes - you can apply what we teach in marketing to almost any profession. Want to be a doctor? You've got to know how to market your practice. A lawyer? Now is the time to develop your public speaking and writing skills! A dentist? How are you going to get new patients? A stay-at-home mom? You have to understand how to manage a budget. We also teach interview skills in our classes. No matter what you do, you will most likely need to interview. 

As a teacher, what things would you tell students to think about besides academics?
The sincerest advice I could give would be to not spend so much time worrying about homework, AP classes, studying, GPA, tests, etc. My advice would be to go to football games, go to homecoming, compete in DECA, compete in anything. Challenge yourself in ways not directly tied to your GPA. Put your phone down. Talk to the awkward kid. Thank your parents. Think about your beliefs. Uninstall social media even if just for a small amount of time. Make new friends. Get an after school job. Look people in the eye.  Most of all, enjoy the high school experience, because you only get to do it once - unless you come right back after college and stay in high school forever. 

 In that position, having an understanding of the community ​and school system is paramount to my daily duties and involvement with business and industry. It also helps when having conversations with students, in that I can relate to where they are and what they hope to do next.

How does the College and Career Development program serve Forsyth County students?
FCS College & Career Development seeks to provide an on-going partnership between education and business/industry to prepare the students of Forsyth County with the skills necessary to meet world-class standards, successfully continue life-long learning, and enter the marketplace as productive citizens. Career pathway options within the program offer curriculum and instruction linked to industry standards in labs featuring the latest technology and equipment replicating simulated work environments. The district also supports internship and mentorship opportunities for students. After graduating high school, students who complete career pathways enter the workforce and military, continue post-secondary education at specialty schools, technical colleges, community colleges, and major universities across the country.

What about high school best prepared you for life?
The teachers and administrators at South have always truly cared about us being prepared for our next step in life, no matter what that looked like. For me, I left South with a love of business, which led me down a path of working with family entities, and also in the realm of secondary and post-secondary education. I had the confidence leaving school to know I had the tools necessary to do anything I wanted to do!

What are some of your best high school memories?
I think the relationships formed with adults in the building and lifelong friends I still have. Most of my former teachers and administrators are still involved in my life, including folks like Richard Gill and Kim Head, who continue to invest in our daily work with the school system. I also try to stay in touch with former teachers, like Jennifer Hauck, who I met a few months ago at her barn in St. Simons. My father is also a part of the Hall of Fame. While no longer with us, I treasure the time he spent investing in the school and be being a part of that at an early age. I have a lot of great memories with Mike Weaver and my brother and parents doing all kinds of things to help the school open in 1989!

Looking back, is there anything you wish you had done differently? What would you tell current South students about their time in school?
I don’t think anyone imagines how quickly it goes by, but I would have taken the time to develop more adult relationships and tried harder to be at more events and activities. I would encourage students to get involved, stay involved, and give back! You are blessed to be in a community like South that supports education. Don’t take a single day there for granted and remember to return the thanks when you are a contributing member of society!