Meet Dr. Terriyln Rivers-Cannon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Terriyln Rivers-Cannon.

Dr. Cannon, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My journey began in the profession of Social Work honestly before I even realized it myself, as it all started one day at my grandmother’s home in Savannah, Georgia while sitting in her garage area that she turned into a sitting/relaxing area if you will with a television better know as a subset  of an extended kitchen. My Auntie Katie Mae Rivers Tindal was a College Professor in the field of Social Work and she would come to her mother’s home during every break with her student’s papers in tow for grading purposes. Hence, as she would grade I of course, would sit there with her and have long conversations while asking many different questions about her work. I was in the 11th grade at the time. The more I asked, the more I thought to my self ” I will never be doing this work” Ha, ha… you see my Auntie Katie had a way of drawing a person in without or before they even realized it, she use to sit with her glasses tilted on her nose while talking what I consider now to be the sweet language of Social Work. I would listen to her speak with her students, as they became encouraged and empowered as well as her colleagues as they sought her advice on how to handle or best express themselves when it came to advocating for their students and even themselves. Thus, I began to find all of this very intriguing especially when it came to the students learning how to speak up for themselves, and then the work in various organizations captured my attention as well i.e. NASW – National Association of Social Workers as well as NASW – National Association of Black Social Workers. Needless to say, my chair that was one at the end of that table had now moved right next to her as I took in each and word that she shared as though it was a breath of fresh air rejuvenating my brain cells as I began learning the appropriate language of this uniquely skilled profession.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
This road that I have been traveling has not been smooth to say the very least, but I like to call it pebbles on the road. Why you may ask, allow me to explain- you see pebbles causes one to stumble, and or trip even at times stub your toe. There are times when things occur in life that will have one to feel as though all is lost and that you should give up, but that is where one’s faith and trust in God plays a big part in whether or not their journey should end right there or should one “keep it moving” in the words of my Aunt Sharon Bowers. Roadblocks occur, and at times they are meant to halt a person in their tracks, but I have never been one to be in freeze mood for lack of a better term, because I am a dreamer who was taught to reach beyond the solar system. Now, I have had many setbacks, for example, I was a teenage mother, who many counted out to never amount to anything. But it was God’s grace and the way that I was taught to trust in him that kept me, not to mention him instilling sheer determination and resiliency inside of me. This life that we are given is so interesting, and I share this because just when you say to your self I am good here comes another test allowing you to have a testimony. Even further I can recall during the days while attending graduate school various issues arising where I was informed that was not going to make it out, so I just smiled and instead of becoming frustrated and discouraged, I turned those Can’t into a Cans…

This is why I have such a passion for the field of Social Work, because each and every day that I am provided with an opportunity to be an educational advocate along with having a voice for the voiceless. Also, I along with my thousands of colleagues across this nation have a chance to have great impact on children, families educational stakeholders and communities on a local, state and federal level on a variation of issues that are currently effecting our society today such as mental health, human sex trafficking, homelessness, and social emotional learning, just to name a few.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
Currently, I have two businesses, I am the host of a podcast that airs every Saturday morning from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. EST entitled “Dare To Soar with Doctor R.C.” – https://boldbravemedia.com/shows/dare-to-soar/

Dare To Soar will empower, encourage, and strengthen! Doctor R.C. (myself) will share many of the services and resources that promote educational success for the youth today on local, state and national levels.

She has been employed as a Social Worker for over 18 years, and will share with all who are tuned invaluable lessons that have been learned through her work experiences as to why the primary role of a School Social Worker should be to serve as a liaison/child advocate while collaborating and consulting with not only students, but parents, school administrators, faculty, and the community.

Doctor R.C. will address many of the issues that are faced in society today by our youth.

Dr. Terriyln C. Rivers-Cannon is a School Social Worker in the Atlanta area. She has devoted the last 18 years to improving the lives of Georgia’s school-aged population. Her role is that of a child advocate, providing appropriate interventions and services that help hundreds of children and families each year who are at risk for educational failure.

Also, I am a Motivational Speaker/Advocate with a website that has been dedicated to my aunt Ms. Katie Mae Rivers Tindal: https://www.soarwithkatie.com/ (Karing Actions Towards Inspiring Eagles)
What is also so very unique about this blessing is that I will be giving scholarships in her honor.

Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Doctor R.C. is now sharing her extraordinary journey from being a teen mother to being awarded National School Social Worker of the Year by the National School Social Workers Association of America. Doctor R.C. is making a difference in the lives of other Social Workers and their contribution to changing the lives of children, adolescents, and teens.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I honestly do not consider it to be luck, but a blessing and I make this statement because as I think about the word luck it means by chance, but I truly believe that God has a path that is written for all of us before we even realize it, therefore, I feel that is what played a major part in each step that has occurred, even the ones that were not so great.

I never thought about having a radio podcast, but one day I received a telephone and did not return the call for over a week or so because I honestly thought it was a joke or someone with the wrong number, and then my husband encouraged me to just return the call, therefore I did.

As it pertains to public speaking my website has just been completed therefore everything is just starting, but this is something that I have had a desire to do for many years and been working very hard towards the goal. Therefore, the setback for this has been remembering to have patience. Everything is always happening in just the right timing even when we do not understand it. Now, that is the hard part…

I would like to close this by sending out a few very special words of thanks, first to my family for giving me your support and listening to all my dreams as you cheered me on every step of the way. Next to my friends and colleagues who just allowed me to be me as I came up with some many out of the box ideas. Lastly, but not at all least the organizations that I have had the opportunity to led, represent, hold a position with and be a member of; School Social Workers Association of Georgia (SSWAG) continue doing amazing things by having positive impacts across Georgia. Next, the School Social Workers of America (SSWAA) – keep the collaborative efforts going with Social Workers across this nation, and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) – together we can make the difference by working in partnership to change lives and minds in a positive way.

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Images credits should go to Georgia Association of Educators Freelance Photographer – Carolyn Crist along with Kevin Pearson, Other photos were taken by me, my husband or colleagues while out at various events with my cell phone.

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