Lexi smiles as she admits that substitute teaching the kids of Meridian made her realize she was going down the wrong professional path and that teaching was her calling. Soon, a full-time position opened, allowing her to realize her passion for students. She was offered a teaching position and accepted, officially changing career paths.

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Lexi started as a special education teacher in the middle school but recently transitioned to high school, where she teaches ninth-grade special ed. While she quickly fell in love with the small class size and her ability to provide personal, one-on-one attention, it’s those moments when she sees the dots connect in her students’ minds that make her love being a teacher.

 

“I tell everyone who asks me, working at Meridian, the story these kids have, and the difference I feel I’m making is amazing,” shares Lexi. She adds, “When they understand a concept they didn’t understand before, I wish I could describe how good it feels.”

 

Lexi’s goal is to transform her classroom into what she describes as a little family. She shares that when a new student recently joined her class, she encouraged them to get acclimated with our little family—or her classroom— so that the new student can get acclimated to her big family—the Meridian High School and everyone who supports it. As she focuses on providing the best for her little family, she shares the need to teach these kids to be just kids, not adults.

 

As Lexi continues to share her story, she extends the family metaphor beyond her students and to her aide, Chauncey. She comfortably admits she regularly leans on him for advice and counsel and likely wouldn’t be teaching at the high school if it wasn’t for Chauncey’s support and their mutual respect and encouragement.

 

While it isn’t lost on Lexi that she teaches in an area that some might classify as abandoned, Lexi sees hope and beauty when she looks at her students. “We need to teach these kids just to be kids, not adults,” says Lexi. People have a huge misconception of Meridian being this horrible place, and I tell them that all these kids have my heart. I grew up in Anna-Jonesboro. I didn’t know this environment when I started here.”

 

“Learning these kids’ stories and how much they’ve overcome at such a young age, these kids don’t even know the impact they’ve had on me. These kids have my whole heart. Meridian is where I’m supposed to be. I wish people understood how amazing these kids truly are.