Bria Sibley\u2019s life has come full circle.<\/p>\n
She\u2019s about to step onto the stage of Orchard Knob Middle School\u2014the same stage she walked across to graduate years earlier. Now, she\u2019s an elementary school teacher and, in a few minutes will be addressing a large crowd of her peers at Chattanooga\u2019s first Urban Education Institute, a conference for educators employed in the \u201cOpportunity Zone,\u201d a group of 12 struggling schools in Hamilton County.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sibley takes a few deep breaths and begins telling her story to the audience.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am a proud product of four Opportunity Zone schools. To be honest, it took me a while to have the confidence to say that,\u201d she said. \u201cWhen someone would ask what school I attended and I replied, I always got a funny look. You all know that funny look.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom a young age I didn’t understand what was wrong with my schools. I didn’t know my schools weren’t good enough,\u201d she continued. \u201cThey were okay to me and my friends. They were all that we had.\u201d<\/p>\n
Established in 2017 by Hamilton County Department of Education Superintendent Bryan Johnson, the Opportunity Zone task force has several goals: recruiting and retaining talented teachers, providing coaching and support for school principals, focusing on high-quality, consistent literacy and math instruction and increasing engagement with parents and the community.<\/p>\n
As part of the initiative, the Urban Education Institute was created to empower educators at the schools in the Opportunity Zone to create meaningful opportunities and positive relationships between students, families and our communities. The inaugural event, co-sponsored by UTC, was attended by more than 500 people.<\/p>\n
After graduating with an education degree from UTC in 2012, Sibley returned to the Opportunity Zone to teach at Orchard Knob Elementary School.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to be an example to my students that there is a braveness within each of them. And that they too are able to prevail regardless of their parent or environment,\u201d she said. \u201cAn example to my teachers, that with their love, their patience, their understanding., I’m living proof that it pays off.\u201d<\/p>\n
After more than five years in a classroom, Sibley knows about challenges she and her fellow teachers will face during the new school year.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe work in the most unique and challenging schools in Hamilton County. Our teachers must be equipped with patience, empathy and, most important, love. Our students deserve the best teachers in Hamilton County. Teachers that want to be there, that are passionate and vow to give their all to our students daily,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs educators, there are many factors that are out of our control, but we must hold on to the things that we can control. The belief that every student deserves an amazing teacher and deserves to be pushed to their fullest potential,\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n
Nearing the end of her time on stage, Sibley issued a challenge to her colleagues and to the city of Chattanooga.<\/p>\n
\u201cI challenge all that is not a teacher in the Opportunity Zone to come in and walk in our shoes. See how amazing our students are and watch how quickly you fall in love with them just as we have,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI challenge you all to rewrite the narrative of these schools,\u201d she continued. \u201cGive them a new life. Believe in them.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Watch the video from one of the sessions at the Urban Education Insitute. For more on the Opportunity Zone, visit the Hamilton County Schools website<\/a>.<\/p>\n