Relay Resident Spotlight: JaCoreya Lloyd

PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

My name is JaCoreya Lloyd. I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. I attended college at Texas A&M University - Commerce, in Commerce Texas, where I earned a Bachelors Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a teacher. As the oldest sibling, my two sisters and I didn't play with dolls, we played school. When I graduated from High School I had a goal of teaching in the same charter school network that molded me from 8th-12th grade, Uplift Education. Ironically, Relay GSE and Uplift Education have a partnership and I teach 1st grade at Uplift Gradus down the street from my Alma Mater, Uplift Hampton. I have a passion for community service. So much so that President Barack Obama awarded me a Community Service award for having over 650 hours of Community Service. I enjoy volunteering at Homeless Shelters and would like to start my own non-profit some day.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO DO THE WORK THAT YOU DO?

My scholars inspire me to do the work that I do. Everyday that I come in, they greet me with so much love and adoration. I also have enjoyed seeing all the growth and progress they have made from August until now.

HOW HAS RELAY HELPED YOU TO BECOME A MORE IMPACTFUL TEACHER?

After four years of undergrad and numerous education courses, I thought I was prepared to teach, but Relay has helped me more than those four years. The deliberate practice we have on Friday's are a beneficial tool that helped me grow as teacher through at-bat practices.

AT RELAY, WE TRULY BELIEVE THAT A TEACHER IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPACTFUL PEOPLE IN A STUDENTS’ LIFE. CAN YOU SHARE WITH US SOMEONE WHO HAS IMPACTED YOUR LIFE IN A SIMILAR WAY?

My 9th-12th grade High School English teacher, Mr. Jeremy Green was one of the most impactful people in my life. He made learning fun and engaging. I have found a new love for reading and writing because of his knowledge and way he taught.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT TEACHING IN YOUR CITY/TOWN?

I love that I am able to work in the community and area where I grew up and went to school in. I love even more that I get to work closely and see teachers who taught me now as my colleagues. My students come from the same background as me and I feel that is important as a teacher to be able to relate to them in some way.

TELL US ONE WORD THAT YOU WOULD USE TO DESCRIBE YOUR STUDENTS. WHAT INSPIRES OR RESONATES WITH YOU ABOUT THEM THE MOST?

Caring. My students show empathy toward each other, cheer each other on, and work as a team. They are so young, yet so wise. When someone is down they all work together to help their teammate.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE, MOVIE OR BOOK THAT HELPS MOTIVATE YOU & THE WORK THAT YOU DO?

This is a quote from the great writer and thinker Maya Angelou: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."