Paysha Rhone
CAREER PATHWAY: I taught as a long-term sub at Boston Public at Charlestown High School, which gave me an idea that this was something I’d love to do more of. At some point, I ended up getting a mental health counseling degree, and I was on my way to becoming a therapist. I did internships at the Perkins School for the Blind in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and another at Fitchburg High School. My career went in the journalism and communications direction for many years. Now, I’m starting at Cynthia Cunningham Elementary as a special education teacher.
WHY TEACHING: I’ve always worked with kids—they’re the best people in the world. I’ve been a volunteer soccer coach with the City of Las Vegas for the last few years, and that really was the key for me. My husband is a [CCSD] teacher, and he connected me with friends who teach special education, where there’s a huge need. Lucky me, that’s what I’m trained to do.
DREAM CLASSROOM: The most important thing is that kids feel safe, connected and cared for at school. If you can create that environment, we can build on everything else. Every child deserves an individual education plan because they all need different things from the system. That’s one of the reasons I’m excited to be in special education, because that individual approach is where the fun and creativity is.
WHY PUBLIC EDUCATION: My husband and I both went to public schools and graduated from large public universities, and I’ve always kept my children in public schools. I feel strongly that the people who care the most about the system have to stay, dig in and do our part—if we don’t, we leave everyone else behind. We can’t control the budget, but we can make an enormous difference on a personal level.
Kathie Brown
CAREER PATHWAY: I worked for lawyers for about 30 years and then decided to change my career path. … And I always loved working with kids, so I decided I would go work for the school district. … I work for [CCSD’s] College and Career Readiness [department] right now. … I’m slated to graduate [from the Nevada Forward] program August 14. … I will be licensed to teach K-8.
WHY TEACHING: I have seven children [and] six grandkids, and I’ve taught countless kids through my church and the community. I’m a lifelong learner. I love learning, reading and finding out new things. I’m always excited about that. So it just comes naturally. What can I do to make other people’s lives better as I walk through life?
DREAM CLASSROOM: The optimal place would be a classroom where I had 20 to 25 students. It’s a place that encourages creativity, original thinking and the love of discovery and curiosity in kids. I like to find different ways to encourage that in them, and not just be in front and lecture.
WHY PUBLIC EDUCATION: The average person doesn’t have all the advantages or financial means to be able to go to a charter or private school. I think our education system is broken somewhat, and we need to fix it. But if we don’t get in and fix it and we all just throw up our hands and leave, what are the rest of them going to be left with? I always come at it with the thought that … if a kid can come into my class and feel like they are in a place where they feel accepted and seen, and they can get excited about learning, it can change something for them.
Sparkiel Haley
CAREER PATHWAY: I’m a Clark County School District bus driver. I’ve been driving for over 20 years. I’m 45 years old. I see a lot that goes on with the kids, you know, being a driver. I decided that, maybe I should make a change, be the difference. Instead of talking about it, be about it. I expect to complete the Nevada Forward program by August 14.
WHY TEACHING: I had one experience with a young lady. She wouldn’t talk, she was very reserved, off by herself, wouldn’t deal with anyone. She was struggling in math. I had helped another student, I went over to help her. She began to cry. I began helping her. And I realized that every student learns differently. I explained it to her in a way she understood. She began to work though the math and start being more responsive, communicating and talking. … She began to smile more and interact with others.
DREAM CLASSROOM: I plan to get a lot of parent involvement. I don’t care if they say I’m getting on their nerves or I bother them too much. You need to show your kid that you’re just as invested in their education as the teacher is. When parents are involved and express their concerns, the kids tend to do better.
WHY PUBLIC EDUCATION: Public education is everything you make it. If you’re not helping your kid learn, all you’re doing by sending them to private school is putting them in a different environment. … Everybody needs to step up as a whole, as a community, and not just talk about it. Be about it. Instead of talking about what they need to, could and should do, let me get out there and be the change I’m talking about.
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