I. Introduction
II. Finding Myself
III. Education Major
IV. Educators Work
V. Passions


Allow me to introduce myself. My name is TaKiera Gibbs. I was born on June 16, 1989 to Rosia and Kelvin Gibbs in Frankfurt, West Germany. My father, Kelvin was in the Army which makes me an Army Brat. When I was two, my father was discharged from the Army so my family and I moved to Mobile, Alabama to be closer to relatives. When I was 7, my parents got divorced. I am the youngest of 3 girls. LaShanda, who is 9 years older than I, and Tiffany, who is 2 years older than I. I have an Advanced Diploma from W.P. Davidson High School, class of 2007.

I did not go straight to college after I graduated from high school. Shortly after I graduated I moved out of my mothers house to live with a friend. I met someone and fell in love. I began medical assisting courses at Remington College. After a few months, I withdrew because I was no longer interested. Shortly after that, I found out I was pregnant with my son. I knew it would be difficult raising my son with 2 families living in a single family home so I moved back in with my mother. I had my son, JayShawn, on January 21, 2009. I was 19 years old. I still had a lot of growing up to do and a lot to learn. I think my son and I are learning and growing up together. One day I was talking to my mother and I told her, "I think I'm ready to go back to school." So, I applied to the University of South Alabama and was accepted in the Spring 2011 term. Upon enrollment my major was nursing. I decided to change my major to Elementary Education during the Fall term 2013.

I decided to major in Elementary Education after I had work study at Forest-hill Elementary School helping 2nd graders with reading. After working with 2nd graders for one semester, I realized that I really want to be a teacher. I have a desire to help students, especially students with special needs learn to read and write. My passion in life is to help people.

In the 21st century, an educator plays many roles in a child's life. An educator has to teach, motivate, counsel and also be a role model in a child's life. An educator has to ensure that they provide the best background and a solid foundation for a child's learning. An educator has to motivate a child to learn and to think critically. Educators have to be role models so that students will have someone to look up to.

I love math, any type of math. I like dealing with numbers. Most of all I love to help people, especially people with special needs and disabilities. I want to get better at being creative. I do not consider myself as a creative person. I am more of the normal type, I do not think outside of the box too often. Being back in school, I am learning to be creative.