Shellie Fuqua

Fayette County
Bryan Station High School

I was raised in a low-poverty environment by a single mother. Teachers have made that connection to success in my life. Also, I have always been a reader, and early on I discovered Stephen King and fell in love with his writing. I was originally inspired to become an English teacher and an author by King, and I wanted to pursue that field. When I went to college, many of the English classes were grammar-focused, and I decided that I wanted a different path. After a short break, I went back to college and focused on how school had touched me, by being part of the FHA (now FCCLA) and FFA in high school. I felt more confident and engaged in school, so I wanted to become THAT teacher and touch lives through CTE Education.

As a CTE teacher, EVERYTHING I do is focused on real-world application and connections to a path for students’ futures. I have been teaching Culinary Arts for 17 years, and during that time I have had more than a handful of students who put in the work to become chefs and took the advice and opportunities I offer in my courses. I have just started in the pathway for Teaching & Learning, but I am having such an amazing experience setting my students up by exploring college options, volunteering and working 1-1 with preschool and elementary students, creating lessons and designing our pathway. My students often help me plan the projects, lessons, and out of school experiences we are offering through this program.

I am a teacher deep within my soul. Working for a Title 1 school comes with a lot of hardships, but there is nothing better than spending time with the amazing kids who come through my space and watching them grow and develop. I adore being part of their lives as they grow their autonomy and I love helping them flourish into the best versions of themselves. I am grateful for the opportunity as an educator to grow and become a better version of MYSELF. These students teach me something new every day.