Today we’d like to introduce you to Candice Swain.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Education and literacy have truly been my passion since the tender age of 5. I’ve always wanted to be a pillar in the esteemed field because I am truly ardent about student growth and achievement. After graduating with my master’s degree from Southern Illinois University, I moved to Chicago to begin my career in Education.
I taught for 2 years with Chicago Public Schools, and I was the Upward Bound Director at Malcolm X College located on the West Side of Chicago. After moving back to Memphis in 2015 due to my mother’s untimely death, I began to work with Shelby County Schools serving as a Certified English Teacher and Instructional Content Lead for 3 English and Language Arts departments.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have been many challenges along the way, but I have allowed those obstacles to shape the woman I am today. It is not an easy task to get students to read for fun, so I try my best to make it interesting in and out of the classroom. Reading can open up a world of doors and opportunities, and it helps to develop vocabulary and grammatical skills as well.
Not only do I touch lives daily, but I also sing. Singing for me is an outlet and it helps with my mental health. I think the fact that I can balance both my professional life and my artistry of singing sets me apart from others. It’s been an exciting journey so far, and my students love when I sing for them!
Networking and finding a mentor can have a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
My mentors Dr. Rhonda Anthony, Dr. Robert Davis, and Mrs. Tarvis Mull has guided me through my professional careers by enhancing my pedagogy as well as my content knowledge. They also have made it possible for me to become knowledgeable about my content, but research-based practices that ultimately benefit students. I am truly thankful to have such wise anchors as I journey through this process.
Finding a mentor that is resilient and patient is key. Additionally, the mentor must challenge you in ways that you’ve never been challenged before. This is essential to your professional and personal development.
Contact info:
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/candice-bell-swain-596480145
