Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
Madison County High School (MCHS) English/Language Arts teacher Glyndell Presley did not originally envision herself as an educator. When she graduated from the School of Journalism at Florida A&M University (FAMU), she had an idea of leading the exciting life of a foreign news correspondent. Soon after graduating, the Monticello native started work as a reporter for the Thomasville (Ga.) Times-Enterprise. That position led to a stint as a Senior Reporter for the weekly publication, Capital Outlook. Eventually, Presley found herself back at her Alma Mater as an editor in the Office of Communications. Presley went on to work as the Director of Publications and an adjunct professor of journalism at FAMU.
In 2011, Presley was in need of a career change. That's when a teaching opportunity became available in Madison County. Presley figured, "If I can teach college kids, then high school kids shouldn't be too much different." Presley began her tenure at MCHS, teaching English and Journalism. At MCHS, Presley serves as the Faculty Advisor for the student newspaper, The Silver Lariat. She also is the Student Government Association advisor, as well as the English/Language Arts Department Chair.
Another program with which Presley works is "Project LIT." According to Presley, this is a form of "book club" in which students choose a book to read and then gather to discuss the book. According to Project LIT, it "is a national grassroots literacy movement that improves literacy attitudes and access, one book and one conversation at a time. There are more than 500 Project LIT chapters in more than 40 states across the country." MCHS is one of 20 in Florida and one of four in the Gateway Region of the state. It is Presley's hope that the Project LIT program can continue and grow during the next school year. "We were cut short this year and didn't get to do as much as we had hoped, but we plan to continue the program next year."
Through the Silver Lariat, Project LIT and other efforts at MCHS, Presley strives to "motivate students to think 'outside the box.'" "I am very passionate about what I do," says Presley. "I go to bed at night thinking about what I can do to help my students learn. When I wake up, I start the day with that same thought." Presley hopes that level of passion fosters an equal level of excitement in her students.
Presley gladly accepts the challenge of helping her students learn to express themselves through the skill of writing, whether it is in her English classes or for the school newspaper. "There are slight differences in the two, but many similarities. With both, it is a matter of putting your thoughts into words to communicate with the reader."
When not in the classroom, Presley enjoys spending time with her granddaughter who lives just a couple of blocks away, in Monticello.