Coquestia Ladd

My name is Coquestia Ladd and teaching is my passion. To be more specific, teaching middle school Language Arts is my passion.  Even though I graduated from Langston University with my Bachelor’s degree in English Education sixteen years ago, my teaching career did not begin immediately after college.  I chose to pursue a Master’s degree in Urban Education while continuing to work at my current job. I loved what I was doing, but I knew something was missing. I was longing to be in the classroom. Four years ago, I stepped out on faith and joined Teach for America and it was exactly what I needed to reclaim my passion for education. For the entirety of my teaching career, I have been employed with Oklahoma City Public Schools and have absolutely enjoyed my time here. I have been so fortunate to learn and grow as an educator since becoming a Roosevelt Titan. Working with so many passionate educators has further ignited in me a love for this profession. I have taught 8th grade since joining the Roosevelt team, and I love it. One of the many things that I am proud of is the way I have been able to build positive relationships with my students by creating a safe classroom culture through the many hats I wear... I believe that as an educator I must teach the whole child and help them learn the skills they will need to be successful when they leave the classroom. 

My message to teachers and students is to keep setting goals and celebrating each step along the way. My daily choice is to show up for my colleagues and students and start each day reflecting on how I will achieve my goals. This carries over into how I acknowledge my colleagues and students when they set and achieve their goals. A snack to a hungry child, those empowered by our Black History Month programs or Hispanic heritage celebrations, a sticker or “good job” stamp on a page- Each of these moments is special, bringing smiles to their face. I’m so grateful to be a part of their lives in these small ways. Those gestures keep the flame ignited for our students to keep achieving. No one can wake up and be Teacher of the Year every day. However, everyone can wake up and take one step closer to being better than before and celebrate each and every achievement. Celebrating refuels the spirit. It commemorates growth. It’s a gesture to our students that we will continue to support them in everything they do. Every day we should pause and reflect on what we can do that day and celebrate along the way.  I always tell my students, “Don’t wait ‘til you arrive at your destination to commemorate your journey.”