Conversations with the Inspiring Terri Jefferson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Terri Jefferson.

Terri, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
In May of 2017, I was finishing up my undergrad degree in Exercise Science at Georgia State University. It was easily one of the best feelings I’ve ever felt. I was beginning my internship at Ortho-Atlanta and on the road to becoming an Athletic Trainer. At the end of my internship, I was required to take an exam for certification. Well, after taking the exam three times and failing by 4, 3, & 2 points respectively, I decided that this may not be the field for me.

During college, I worked part-time as a substitute teacher at a few local high schools. I never took being a substitute seriously. In fact, I looked at myself as a glorified babysitter. However, it was a fun/enlightening experience to see how different the kids are today. It actually made me want to be a little more involved, so I decided to assist with coaching Volleyball.

Still, summer ’17, and I’m interning at OrthoAtlanta, coaching pre-season volleyball, and have no job. I never really wanted to be a teacher, but I loved the girls on the team, the coaching staff, and being able to lend an ear and some guidance to some of the students. I ended up applying and getting hired at three different high schools between Gwinnett and Dekalb county. Of course, I chose my Alma Mater! I was now a Special education, Oceanography teacher!

During my first semester of teaching, I started to notice a few things about the students. They are not interested in learning. And I get it, who wants to be lectured and read textbooks? Not me, so why would they? So, I made it a point to incorporate something the kids could relate to in order to draw their attention to the lesson. After seeing how much it worked… one million ideas popped into my head, but I was too afraid to act on any of them.

In December, I embarked on an outreach trip to Haiti with ATL4Haiti. While we’re on this trip, we were given the privilege to see the children in the Mission of Grace orphanage while they were in school. It was more than a humbling experience and it was enough for me to get one of my ideas rolling! I came home and immediately started putting together Y.E.A.A. Young Educators Association of Atlanta Inc!

Has it been a smooth road?
The process of starting a business or non-profit is never JUST EASY! I’ve had mentors and people guide me through the process of getting started and organizing my ideas and there were still obstacles! Most people will mention the financial obstacles or technicalities experienced… maybe the name you wanted for your business was already taken. I myself experienced 1 major obstacle… ME!

I was my biggest obstacle. I did everything from procrastinating, to set unrealistic goals which led to self-doubt and that only prolonged my process. My best advice to other women who are looking to be an entrepreneur or who are about to embark on a new journey in life is “Be Real with Yourself.”

While reading a book with Dr. Krystal Conner entitled “15 Invaluable Laws of Growth” by John Maxwell, I came across a few quotes that have pushed me to get things done.

“Five frogs are sitting on a log, four decide to jump off. How many frogs are left?
Five… because there’s a difference between deciding and doing.”

and

“Hard work is just the accumulation of easy things you didn’t do when you should have.”

These quotes have pushed me beyond my means. I never would have started a business even though I told myself that one day I would. I made excuses. I didn’t know how to start though I had successful people around me who had been in my seat before.

So, be real with yourself ladies. Make short term goals, give yourself time, allow yourself to make mistakes and learn from them, and when you have the means of getting something done DO IT! It may require more than you have to give the next time around.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Young Educators Association of Atlanta Inc story. Tell us more about it.
I am currently a special education teacher serving in a co-taught setting teaching Oceanography! But I like to think of myself as more than just a teacher… I connect dots! That is what I do; educational dots, life dots, career dots. If there’s a dot, I will connect it.

Let me elaborate. The creating of Y.E.A.A. Young Educators of Atlanta Inc. was to form a community of Millennial Teachers (dot connectors) This is a platform for us young educators to be recognized for our influence and impact on our students.

Young educators are becoming more numerous every year and we will eventually become the face of education and our communities as our elders begin to retire. It is our job is to serve the youth. We connect the dots for them so they can connect the dot for the generations to come. We serve our students academically by providing new and innovative ways of teaching for all types of learners and prepare them for post academics by mentoring. Y.E.A.A knows that the only way to help our student be better is by continuing to better ourselves. So we don’t limit our work to students, we work on ourselves through professional development and improving our leadership skills.

Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
Sharon Jefferson; My mama. The strongest woman on the earth. She’s never let her children see her sweat or even shed a tear. She provided the best environment for her children that she could and made sure we never had to want for anything!

Tyra Smith; Not only was Tyra the first person to get me to consider teaching & coaching, but she helped me through the entire process of getting AND KEEPING my job! I have seen her walk the halls with her head high and filled with confidence even though she was still learning the ropes herself.

Adrienne Jefferson; My little BIG sister. Being the youngest sister can be easy or hard, she made the job a little bit of both for me! Watching her become a mother allowed me to see her in a new light. I’ve had to watch her become a stronger woman and make tough decisions. Despite adverse situations, she has been able to continue to be an amazing mother and sister!

Krystal Conner; It’s always great to have someone around who’s “been there and done that.” Getting to know Dr. Conner has shown me that life has no balance. There is no equilibrium to life, something will always be off. It’s your job to be the very best version of you regardless.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @iamterrij__
• Other: @young.educators.atl (instagram)

Image Credit:
Chuck Rare

Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.