Is anyone else at that stage where you feel called to spend the next chapter of your life making a lasting impact on education and the lives of those around you? That’s exactly where I am. I am searching for a position that allows me to do just that—support, uplift, and inspire students to reach their full potential.
The other day, I was having a rough, exhausting day. As I made my way back to my office after checking in on two students in the after-school program, I heard a small voice behind me say, “I love you, Ms. Weisser.” Without hesitation, I responded, “I love you too, ___.” My students know I care for them deeply, even after a long day of correcting behavior and answering an endless stream of questions. That simple exchange made my steps a little lighter as I climbed the stairs back to my office, reminding me exactly why I chose this path.
When I first entered education, my “why” was deeply personal—I had never felt truly seen in school. I dropped out shortly after my 16th birthday, in the middle of my junior year. My family wasn’t wealthy. I was raised by a single mother who had to quit school to care for her own mother and never had the opportunity to return. We moved frequently, living in hotels, apartments, trailers, and with family members, while my mom worked tirelessly—cleaning houses, teaching dance, and taking on any job she could. Despite her relentless work ethic, she was never paid well enough to provide stability, and there were times we went hungry.
At school, no one checked in on me. No one asked how I was doing. I was invisible.
Eventually, I earned my GED and started taking college classes in my 20s while working low-skill jobs before landing a position as a receptionist at a large insurance company. I had to leave college when I became pregnant with my daughter due to a high-risk pregnancy. Later, when she was older, I wanted to return to school—but instead, I found myself navigating a divorce.
I moved back home, re-enrolled in college, and my mother stepped in to babysit while I worked a graveyard shift and attended classes during the day. Sleep was a luxury I couldn’t afford. But I was determined to create a better life for us.
In my final year of college, I met my biggest champion—the man who would later become my husband. We married a couple of years later, and for the past 24 years, he has supported every dream I’ve pursued, standing beside me through every challenge I’ve faced in education.
Because of my own journey, I feel deeply connected to students who struggle to thrive in school. When I see them being overlooked or not given the support they need, it fills me with frustration, sadness, and determination—because I have been there.
I fought to give my daughter more opportunities, encouraging and supporting her every step of the way. Now, I want to do the same for my students. I am looking for a role where I can be their champion, just as my husband was mine, and just as I was for my daughter. With the right support, students can achieve extraordinary things. I want to be part of that transformation—to empower them, advocate for them, and ensure that they are seen, heard, and given the opportunities they deserve.
With the right champion in their corner, every student has the potential to succeed.
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