Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeremy Sturdivant.
Hi Jeremy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m originally from a small town called York, Alabama. When I was younger, I always wanted to teach math. Math has always been my favorite subject and I wanted to help others understand math how I did. Growing up with a brother who suffer from a full-blown Down syndrome disorder, I was put in situations where I had to teach him how to express his feeling and how to communicate his needs and wants. Every single day I wanted him to feel like he was normal just like everyone else. I wanted him to feel understood. In 2011 at the age of 21, my brother died. I felt devastated and lost and really had little to no doubt to keep pushing to become anything in life. Losing my brother gave me a lot of time to find myself and my purpose. I grew love for all kids. I wanted to help others kids feel understood and loved. But I didn’t know how or where to start. In 2013 my mother passed away and truly I lost all hope of wanting to become anything in life. All the love I had for anything or anyone started to turn into pain and tears. But through all the pain and hurt, I grew closer to God. I knew if I couldn’t talk to anyone, I still had God. I prayed and prayed asking God to guide my faith and footstep to where I supposed to be in life. I had lost the most important people in my life and my love is shattered. At this time, I didn’t have any degrees, no job, and no money. But God kept his hand on me and showed me that I had a purpose in my life. He put me in positions and in rooms with people who seen something much greater in me than I did myself. Through all that pain and hurt, I was able to continue college and graduate with 3 degrees in Early Education. I took all of that pain and applied it to my lifestyle and changed my whole life around while helping others. God is Amazing and I’m soo glad he didn’t give up on me even when I gave up on myself.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Along the way of becoming an educator, I was in lost place after losing my mom and thought going to the street life was good for me. I became a club promoter and started to venture out into the night scene. Started making fast money and really thought it was for me until I was brought back to reality after being rob at gun point one night after a college party. Thank God for getting me out of the situation without being harm. I definitely didn’t learn from it and went back to the club scene because I needed money and thought I needed the attention. While being in the nightlife of the club, I was looking over my shoulders wondering who’s watching me or who’s trying to take what I had. While trying to make money, I started to lose more money because of lack of attendance and lack of staff that I had to hire for the club. I then start to realize that this lifestyle really wasn’t for me and I was still just lost.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am now a Lead Prek Teacher here in Atlanta, GA. I specialize in helping ages 3-5 years old gain proper learning strategies to help them grow and be able to adapt to their everyday life. I access their needs by meeting them exactly where they are. I make sure that I always get down on their levels to understand them. I’m known for making sure my students are prepared for the future and how to control their emotions when they are feeling overwhelmed or uncomfortable. I’m most proud of my abilities to be patient and my ability to be understanding as a teacher and a parent. I’m proud of the sacrifices I’ve made to get where I am today as a father, friend, coworker, and educator. What sets me apart from others is that I’m able to adapt and I’m willing to make sacrifices to help myself and others better for the future. I’m willing to give my all to others even when I’m not feeling my best or have all the answers. What sets me apart from others is I’m not afraid to be the example!
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something surprising that most people who know me might not know about me is that I love coloring books and bringing pictures to life. I love fine art. And I also love great music. I can listen to music all day. It gives me soo much hope and pleasure during good and bad times.
Contact Info:
- Email: Jaystud0@yahoo.com
- Instagram: Ur_kids_favorite_prek_teacher_
Image Credits
Jeremy Sturdivant
