Jaclyn Dewberry did not take a traditional path for a career in education. But the experiences and lessons learned in her journey have helped her stand out.

In April, Dewberry was named the Ardmore City Schools Teacher of the Year. Dewberry has taught the past two years at Lincoln Elementary and the previous three at Charles Evans as a third-grade teacher. Before that, she had served the school district and Chickasaw Nation Child Development Center as a teacher’s assistant.

In earning teacher of the year, Dewberry said she had to overcome self-doubt and gain confidence in her abilities as a teacher.

“That meant a lot to become teacher of the year, even though I had to ask myself ‘How could you do something so great,’” Dewberry said. “That is when I had to remind myself. You put in the work, and it is okay. And the fact somebody else sees that you put in the work and says good job, we are going to take it.”

Foray into higher education

Dewberry came to Oklahoma from Kansas City, Missouri. She attended Langston University where she met her husband, Clay. She attended Langston for two years before leaving and moving to Ardmore where she and Clay began a family. Dewberry said she always knew that education was her calling. She just did not have enough confidence in herself.

“Even though I went to college, it was kind of like that thing, fake it until I can make it,” she said. “But that failed me of course.”

Although she felt that education has been a calling, Dewberry said she was not confident that education was for her. She struggled in school, despite tutoring and finding extra support.

“It was me and my identity,” she said. “I didn’t know who I was. So, I ended up dropping out in my first round of college. And, when I dropped out, I did not drop out the proper way. I just pretty much stopped going and of course, it left me with a financial bill.”

Going back to school

In time, Dewberry said she realized that it was time to give college another try, and she knew she needed an education to pursue her calling to be a teacher. With that decision, came the confidence that was backed up by the experience she gained in the classroom as a teacher’s assistant.

“That was one thing that I noticed about being a teacher’s assistant, where it did give me an opportunity to be in the room,” Dewberry said. “And to see what it takes to be a teacher. And so, that is what I believe built my confidence and be able to see this is not as bad as I thought it was.”

To achieve her goal, Dewberry enrolled in Western Governor’s University and took online classes. She tackled the self-doubts that had plagued her years before such as the fear of writing papers. Taking classes at WGU, proved to be tailor-made for Dewberry to fulfil her ambitions.

“And then, still being in the classroom, because when I went to WGU, I was working, finishing school, being a mom and being a wife, it was one of those things where it had to be done,” she said. “I just had to do it, and I didn’t dwell on what it was going to take. I just did it.”

“With WGU, they gave me my coursework, I completed my work, and I was done,” she said. “I am not a social butterfly so that is what kind of made it easier for me to do online schooling. Not needing to communicate with others, just focus on my work.

“That is the reason I say, the path that I ended up taking wasn’t bad, even though I didn’t finish the first time. I ended up finding a university that worked for me.”

Experience proves beneficial in the classroom

Dewberry graduated over 15 years after she first started taking classes at Langston. She said the patience involved in reaching her goals is the mirror-image of what it takes to be a teacher. She also said the reason she loves third grade is because her teacher was patient with her and allowed her to grasp what she was teaching.

“That is one thing that I have learned about myself is that I have to be patient with myself,” she said. “I have to give myself grace. I have to be my own cheerleader. Even though I may not be strong in one area, I can always take my strength and help build up those weaknesses so that I can become stronger in those areas.”

One area that has become stronger for Dewberry is becoming more social.

“You have to challenge yourself to say okay, I know I struggle with this, but I know I can conquer it,” she said. “I know I can learn that. I know that skill can become something.”

Dewberry said in reaching success in the classroom, there has been emotional healing. She has become what she was called to do. In taking classes with WGU, a growth mindset was stressed. Add it all together and Ardmore City Schools has benefitted by placing an outstanding teacher in the classroom who makes a difference.

“For me, it is understanding the power that I have for me,” she said. “Nobody else can do it for me. I have to do it. Just believing in myself is pretty much what I have learned a lot about me. To just be confident, don’t run from a challenge and meet it head-on. And that you will come out victorious.”