糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Graduate Finds Purpose in the Classroom
When Averee Betts walks into a classroom, everything else fades away.
The single mother from Benton has faced more than her share of obstacles鈥攂alancing motherhood, chronic health issues, school, and a part-time job. But through it all, she never let go of her belief that teaching is where she鈥檚 meant to be.
鈥淭here were times during my residency when I doubted if teaching was really my purpose,鈥� Betts said. 鈥淏ut every time I stepped into the classroom, I felt peace. That鈥檚 when I knew this is what I鈥檓 supposed to do.鈥�
Betts recently completed a year-long teaching residency at in Jacksonville, where she worked with mentor teacher Wanda Eskridge in a fourth-grade classroom, describing the experience as transformative.
鈥淚t鈥檚 probably the best school I鈥檝e ever been in,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he staff felt like family, and the support was amazing. I told them, if I could, I鈥檇 move the whole school to Saline County just so I could work there.鈥�
The residency, part of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Trojan Teacher Residency Program, gave Betts not only hands-on experience but also the confidence to manage a classroom and collaborate with fellow educators.
鈥淟esson planning used to scare me,鈥� she said. 鈥淣ow I feel ready. I鈥檝e grown so much in my confidence.鈥�
She credits much of her growth to the support she received from her professors at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, especially site coordinators Dr. Kenya Brooks and Dr. Terri Guy.
鈥淭hey鈥檝e encouraged me through every doubt I鈥檝e had,鈥� Betts said. 鈥淓ven after I had their classes, they stayed in touch and continued mentoring me. I ask a lot of questions, and they never made me feel like I couldn鈥檛 come to them.鈥�
Betts was born in Georgia and moved to Arkansas when she was seven. She earned an associate degree from 糖心Vlog传媒鈥揚ulaski Tech and then transferred to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2023 to pursue a Bachelor of Science in elementary education, a decision based on affordability, flexibility, and proximity to her daughter, Shyloh.
Balancing life as a student, mother, and employee hasn鈥檛 been easy. Betts has worked for eight years at Chick-fil-A in Bryant, where she says she鈥檚 received 鈥渋ncredible support鈥� from her coworkers and supervisors.
鈥淭hey鈥檝e helped keep a roof over my daughter鈥檚 and my heads,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 really thankful.鈥�
While graduation is a major milestone, Betts isn鈥檛 slowing down. She鈥檚 currently applying for teaching positions across Arkansas and plans to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in mathematics in the future.
Her advice to future students is to: Stay open, ask questions, and surround yourself with the right people.
鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid to lean on others. Find a support group that lifts you up. That makes all the difference.鈥�
And if she ever has doubts about her future as an educator, Betts reflects on why she started this journey in the first place.
鈥淢y philosophy is to change the world one classroom at a time,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 remind myself of that whenever I start to question my path.鈥�