Today we’d like to introduce you to Marvin Moore
Hi Marvin, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born to Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Moore in Memphis, Tennessee, on a blessed and warm July morning. Before my arrival, my family welcomed my oldest sister to this life, and together, we were united to live, learn, and love with Christ at the center of our movement. My family heritage was an intricate part of my upbringing and was connected with food, fellowship, and favorable moments and memories. Even greater was the “village” that supported rearing my sister and me to be respectful and hard-working individuals, but also to set and accomplish goals we always set for ourselves. We were fortunate to attend motivating school environments in Memphis City Schools that kept us grounded in education and parents that maintained and reinforced education for its genuine purpose of being life-long learners.
I graduated high school in 2008 with honors from White Station High School and immediately transitioned to my studies at the University of Memphis. There, I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Foreign Languages and Literature (Spanish) and minored in English, and graduated Magna cum laude in 2012. During my senior year of undergraduate studies, I was fortunate to be able to support younger students in Memphis City Schools by serving as a literacy tutor to 4th-grade students. Those engaging lessons and the development of relationships sparked my interest in helping young people tackle what seemed to be an obstacle in their studies. With a love for Foreign Languages. Cultural acquisitions and literacy, I intended to graduate college and become a traveling translator. It was a chilly day in December of 2012, and I was divinely sparked with an interest in applying for mid-year vacancies as a teacher with Memphis City Schools. I received notification from Human Resources that two schools needed immediate hires for Spanish teachers. I was nervous but thrilled at the opportunity and contacted both principals. One principal, Dr. Lowell Winston, immediately followed up and invited me for an interview at Northside High School. What started as a nerve-shaking conversation transformed me into the Educational Leader I am today.
My journey as a classroom educator lasted for seven years. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was invited to interview for an Instructional Facilitator position due to my servant leadership and desire to help students and coach new and novice teachers who were entering the profession. Others noticed my zeal, passion, and determination to champion students, teachers, and parents. After a two-year station in this role, I applied to serve as Assistant Principal for The Memphis Virtual School. Our team designed and implemented academic support for elementary, middle, and high school students across Tennessee to learn in a high-quality virtual program. My philosophy is to help students help themselves and to be self-disciplined, motivated, and encouraged, just as my parents and village inspired my sister and me for many years.
In 2020, I added a layer to my skillset when I opened Señor Moore’s Sabroso (Tasty) Delights, a home-based dessert and small catering operation. One Heavenly Pound Cake baked for a teacher potluck in 2019 turned into a blossoming operation that continues to operate. I offer “old school” southern desserts that will take you back down memory lane, including pound cakes, cobblers, pies, and butter rolls. In addition, many of my returning customers enjoy the Cajun Shrimp Dip, Astonishing Alfredos, and much more.
I am here today because of God’s grace, which encourages and empowers my daily existence. There is more to accomplish, and I am grateful beyond measure to have faith, family (RIP, mom—2021), and friendships to keep me grounded and thriving in the right direction.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As Langston Hughes well composed the poem, Mother to Son (1922), Well, son, I’ll tell you: life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.It’s had tacks in it, And splinters, And boards torn up, And places with no carpet on the floor—Bare.
But all the time I’se been a-climbin’ on, and reachin’ landin’s,
The road to this journey in life hasn’t been smooth, but it’s truly been worthwhile. Life threw me a curveball in 2021, when my family and I received notification that my mom transitioned this earthly bridge to her eternal home. My mom instilled the value of hard work, commitment, and passion for your work. Her legacy of cooking and entrepreneurship has been apart of my life’s compass, and I will work to keep the wheels turning. Despite life’s difficulties, I am committed to continue climbin’ on and reachin’ landin’s!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I humbly serve in Educational Administration for Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Before I accepted the leadership role, I devoted nine years to classroom education, teaching Spanish levels 1-4 and English 11 and 12 at Messick Adult High School, online Spanish to virtual learners, and summer school curriculum writer and site administrator. I was privileged and selected to support and coach new teachers as a teacher leader with the Department of Alternative Schools.
At the height of the pandemic, my former school leader contacted me for a conversation that helped answer my call to leadership. He recalled a conversation he and I had during my first year at our new school that year where he asked after observing my class, “Are you interested in school leadership?” That year, my answer was “maybe,” but during the conversation, I gave my best “yes.” In 2020, I transitioned from classroom educator to Instructional Facilitator with the Department of Alternative Schools. The pandemic brought about a strong need for the students in our community. The absence of in-person learning sparked the need for students to receive 1:1 learning devices. I was called upon to serve as a Site Manager to help distribute devices to over 100,000 students with the help of all district employees.
As an instructional facilitator, I shared my support with all stakeholders, teachers, students, and parents. I helped build teachers’ classroom practice and performance, giving students the most equitable and engaging learning environment. Two years later, I elevated my determination and transitioned to my present role as Assistant Principal.
I am known for my love of energy and encouragement, my “sunny disposition,” and for developing an inviting and nurturing workplace culture that helps and not hinders my teammates’ growth and development. I am most proud of the future ahead of me and of keeping the needs of our youth at the heart of my existence. There’s work to do, and I believe each day is a new chance to offer hope, a smile, and encouragement to our next generation of “dreamers, thinkers, and doers” and the education it takes to assist their accomplishments.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
During my Educational Specialist (Ed.S) graduate studies at Lipscomb University, I adopted the start of my leadership philosophy. At Lipscomb, we were tasked with leading like Jesus and with character and morals that reflect humility and love for mankind. I advise any aspiring school educator, leader, and small-business owner to lead with their heart and keep their mind on their goals. The book
Similar to anything you want to do, I strongly believe everyone needs a mentor. Keep learning, keep seeking, and remind yourself that there is always something more to learn. Remain reachable and teachable.
