Math Teacher
A lifelong self-learner, she loved the classroom, wanting to mold young minds and her own.
FAMILY BACKGROUND
PJ was born in Roanoke, Virginia.
CHILDHOOD INTERESTS
PJ’s childhood interests included proficiency with numbers and fascination with different languages. She loved to learn new things.
EDUCATION
A dedicated student throughout her elementary, middle, and high school years, PJ was admitted to Howard University, a very well-respected member of the group of historic Black colleges and universities (HBCU).
Energetic and enjoying mixing with groups, PJ joined a female sorority and decided to become a teacher, thus focusing her university classroom courses on methods of teaching, supplemented by practice teaching in public schools while supervised by experienced teachers. With this experience confirming her career path decision, PJ graduated with a degree in education, qualified to teach at any level of school, from K through 12th grades.
A lifelong learner, PJ eventually earned a Master’s degree in education and attended additional, graduate level classes in several universities during her off-duty, personal time away from her classroom teaching responsibilities. Following her retirement, PJ enrolled in online classes to continue her commitment to lifelong, self-education.
TEACHING CAREER
While shifting several times to different school districts, including suburban and urban locations, PJ remained at her core, a math teacher. “She loved the classroom,” said her daughter. “She wanted to mold young minds and her own.”
PJ preached discipline and accountability around her home as well as the classroom and was quick to speak her mind. “She had a strong personality,” her daughter said. “You paid attention or else you were going to get it!”
CAREER SATISFACTION
After retiring from decades of teaching, PJ was often greeted warmly when former students came upon her around town. “They said they admired the support she gave them,” said her daughter.
PHJ was a member of her home township’s Education Association plus her state and national Education Associations.
For years, her daughter observed as PJ corrected, graded, and commented on her students’ assignment papers at home, with a bright red pen. “Watching her do that made me want to do better.”
Friends called PJ “an amazing woman, loved by all.” (Editor – Apparently those friends paid attention when PJ spoke!”)
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This career story is based on an obituary written by Gary Miles, published by The Philadelphia Inquirer on 3/30/23.
