As educators, we occasionally get to see the fruits of our labor.  We work tirelessly with kids wondering how much of an impact we have on them.  

Are they listening? Are they changing?  What will happen to them? What will they become? 

These are the questions we ask ourselves.

Sometimes we hear about a news story of a student who graduated, or connect with a previous student who comes back for a visit. There are even a few students that we keep in touch with and are able to see them grow—with the relationship moving from student, to mentee and sometimes friend.

I just completed my 18th official year as a school counselor and 21st directly working with children. 

The time has come full circle.  There are three young ladies who have had the most significant impact on my career and I have the honor of celebrating milestones with all of them this summer.

God really does have a sense of humor.  I mean really, all of them have a significant life event in the span of 90 days?

In that 90 day period, I attended a traditional wedding, a destination wedding and a college graduation. 

This post will honor one of those ladies, Ms. Tyera. 

The picture to the side is Tyera’s graduation from community college where she received an Associates Degree in Art. 

Tyera came to high school EVERY day with a smile, great attitude and completed all of her work. She was very involved in the art program, had tons of friends and loved coming to school.  Through complicated circumstances she found herself without the supervision or access to parents (or any adult family).  During her Junior year she had to resort to living with a friend.  We were unaware of this for the majority of the school year because she did such a great job of wearing the “everything is everything” mask. But at one point, she couldn’t keep up the facade.  She had a meltdown and there was no choice but to let us know what was going on.

The place that she was living wasn’t working out, and she had to find somewhere else to go.  She was fearful because she didn’t know what we had to do as a school, and she definitely did not want to go into the “system.”  Because of her age she was able to remain with the family she was living with, as long as they acted as her guardians.  Our “village” of teachers, administrators and staff went into action and got her through.

We made sure she made it to junior prom, homecoming, senior prom, got a yearbook, maneuvered through the college application process and other items.  We made sure that she had the proper paperwork to receive the maximum amount of funding that she could be awarded.

It wasn’t easy.

She was a kid on her own with no parents and few relatives that could provide her with advice or support. A living room served as her “personal” space for years, yet she continued to come to school every day and finish her education.  She doubted herself and wanted to give up many times, but she pressed through. We literally had to hold her hand (and sometimes drag her kicking and screaming) through the whole process.  

She knew she had her village and we wouldn’t let her fail.

In all of that, she continued to come to school EVERY day, performed well and worked 40-hours a week. I can’t say that about a lot of kids in “stable” households, even if you take out the job part.

For me, Tyera is a symbol of fortitude.  Despite the odds stacked against her, she had goals and a focus for her life and kept her eyes on the prize. 

Once she got through the first year of college, she gained confidence and learned to maneuver through and find new resources to pull on.  It took her a while to finish, but at the end of the day—she finished. She fought the odds, she fought the haters and fought the blockers.

Her next step is to attend a 4-year art school to complete her requirements for a Bachelor’s degree.  She is still living with friends and has no parental involvement  But, she knows that she has us and…we still won’t let her fail.

She is an inspiration.

When I asked her permission to do this article, she was thrilled.  But with that excitement, she told me that she doesn’t feel like she had done enough.  I reminded her that many of her friends started and never finished school.  Some never went to school, and through life there are a lot of times when we feel that we have not done anything of significance. I told here that what’s important is that she tried to do something and she is still pushing towards the mark.

The generational curse has been broken from her family and the course of her life has been redirected forever!

When I get into dark places and feel like I can’t push forward, her face sometimes come to mind.  I say to myself, “If she can do it with limited resources, I can do it.” 

So for the educators out there who are tired and feel like you are not making much impact, be encouraged. Your efforts are not in vain and you too have a Tyera.  Keep doing what you do.  These are the types of kids that make it worthwhile.

Tyera, keep doing what you doing girl!  We are so proud of ya!