Embedded Files
Teacher: Mrs. Brenda Dail
STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
Madisyn Russell, Sophmore at PCHS & PQ Ambassador (2/20/24)
"My name is Madisyn Russell, I am a sophomore at Perquimans County High School as well as a PQ Ambassador. From the ripe age of 8, I knew my dream was to be an elementary teacher when I grew up, flash forward 8 years later… it’s still my dream and something I work toward every day. I have always been passionate about working with young kids. Over the years, I have taught children’s church, babysat, and volunteered as a junior counselor at a church camp varying from children 8-13 years of age. Throughout my school career, I have admired many of my teachers as they have played vital roles into who I am today. "With this class, I have not only learned how to be a successful mentor but a successful leader as well. Over the past seven weeks, we have had lots of training to help us become better friends, students, and most importantly leaders. We have had numerous educators from all four schools, the central office staff, and community leaders who have come out and given guidance on how to be the best we can be, as well as how to leave a lasting impact on these children in which all of my classmates aspire to do. Besides hosting guest speakers, PQ Ambassadors have also been out in the community helping with events such as Financial Aid Night (for High School Seniors) and Hertford on Ice. Through this class, my fellow classmates and I have also learned the importance of Perquimans and all the opportunities it has to offer (many of us did not realize all that our small town has in store). Our goal as PQ ambassadors is to make a difference in not only fellow students but the community as well, we strive for this every. single. day. Roy T. Bennett once said, 'Success is not how high you’ve climbed, but how you make a positive difference to the world'."
Images from Madisyn's Spring Semester of Being a PQ Ambassador
Mattison Winslow, Sophmore at PCHS & PQ Ambassador (2/20/24)
"My name is Mattison Winslow and I am one of the PQ Ambassadors for this years 2024 spring semester. I am excited to share with you a glimpse of what we have learned so far throughout this exceptional quality program that Mrs. Dail is facilitating. Mrs. Dail has a done a wonderful and exceptional job preparing us to be ready when we get out to the schools to make sure we can provide the most support we possibly can to students in a positive, meaningful, and impactful way. Mrs. Dail has taught wonderful lessons on communication, leadership, and many more things and has gone above and beyond to set up guest speakers to make sure we are 100% prepared. We have had the opportunity to listen to a diverse variety of guest speakers and listen to their journey throughout their whole life and how what they have done/accomplished has shaped them into the people they are today. We have had the opportunity to learn a glimpse of what their jobs are and what a typical day looks like. We have learned various strategies for reading and skills when working with students who have special needs or accommodations. We have also had the opportunity to participate in collaborative, hands-on activities involving critical thinking, communication, and leadership. All of these activities have prepared us to go into the schools starting tomorrow. We have even had the wonderful opportunity to create and innovate our own mission and vision statement. For me, this wonderful program has definitely taught me new things, has made me more confident, and has overall provided me with the tools to be successful after high school in my future career. With this program, I hope to have a positive impact in the life of a student or even multiple students.
Harriet Tubman once said, "Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." I love this quote because it emphasizes everyone is capable to make a positive difference in the world and I want to make that positive differencethe lives of students. I want to let them know they have within them the strength to change the world. I want them to know they can dream big and do big things. Thank you so much for allowing me to share with you a glimpse at what this wonderful program is and how important it is to me and all of the PQ Ambassadors."
Jada Lassiter, Junior at PCHS & PQ Ambassador (5/28/24)
Where to begin… this year I decided to branch out and take the new class that PCHS was offering, PQ Ambassadors; this class was designed to help develop stronger leadership skills, serve the community, and most importantly to gain future educators for Perquimans County (that’s the part that drew me in). For the first 6 weeks my classmates and I helped serve our community and trained in all skills that had to do with leadership and education roles, after those 6 weeks of training we were ready to go out and actually teach at our local elementary schools. I got placed in Mrs. Winslow’s 1st grade class at Perquimans Central School. When I tell you that I immediately fell in love with every single one of those kids I mean it, each of them had their own little personality, their own style, their own struggles, and their own strengths. I was so blessed to be able to help them and watch them grow in their educational journeys as well as their own personal journeys. Each day they would never fail to put a smile on my face, all so excited to see me and so excited to learn each day. We all developed such a wonderful connection. As the school year came to an end and my final days with them approached we did a little bit celebrating here and there with cupcakes, candy superlatives, little notes, and lots of hugs. When my final day with them came they started off their time with me by telling me what they loved most about me and shared their memories with me that we had made throughout the school year, it really made my eyes sweat; then, they gave me cards and the cutest little tree that had all of their names and fingerprints on it. I’m so thankful to PCHS, PCS, Mrs. Brenda Dail, Mrs. Lacey Winslow and PQ Ambassadors for allowing me be a part of such a fantastic program and the sweetest 1st grade classroom; I can’t wait for next year! I’ve got a very strong feeling that elementary education is where I’m meant to be.
Images from Jada's Spring Semester of Being a PQ Ambassador
Steven Elliot, May 2025
"My experience as a PQ Ambassador has been one of the best experiences. I joined this program because I wanted to improve my social skills and communication abilities, and it has helped me grow in more ways than I ever expected. The first six weeks of training were essential because many of us came in not really knowing what to do in different situations. That training gave me the confidence and knowledge I needed to step into a real classroom and make a difference. While I’m still unsure if I want to go into education, this program has opened my eyes to many possibilities with my career choice. It has helped me develop leadership, communication, and creativity—skills that will benefit me no matter what career path I choose.
Working in a PE class, I’ve had the chance to engage with students in a hands-on environment, helping them stay active, work as a team, and build confidence in their abilities. When I first started, I had to quickly push past my shyness because I needed to step up, guide activities, and encourage students. This is my first year as a PQ Ambassador, and I chose to work at Hertford Grammar School in PE. I picked third grade because they’re at a great age—not too young, but not too old—and I knew I could really connect with them. At first, I was nervous, but The students welcomed me right away. Since I'm a boy in high school the students asked me many questions, like if I knew their siblings or cousins or family. The first day, The students were really surprised with how tall I was and the students grew to like me very quickly. Even on days when I didn’t feel like going, the moment I walked into class and the students ran up to greet me with smiles and hugs and high-fives, I knew I was in the right place. Since then, I’ve made it a priority to bond with each student, making sure they know I’m someone they can trust, talk to, and count on. This program has given me so many reasons to consider becoming a teacher, but I’m still figuring out if that’s the career path I truly want. Either way, I know the skills I’ve gained—leading a group, speaking confidently, thinking creatively—will help me no matter where I go in life. I highly recommend PQ Ambassadors to any rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
If you’re considering becoming a teacher, this program gives you hands-on experience working with students and truly shows you what the job is like. Even if you don’t want to go into education, it teaches valuable life skills. I really hope this program continues while I’m at PCHS and beyond. Mrs. Dail does an incredible job preparing us to assist teachers and students, and I know my presence in the PE class has been a big help to my mentor teacher. Our Friday reflection days with Mrs. Dail are something I look forward to because it gives us the chance to discuss what’s going well, ask for advice, and learn from each other’s experiences. She is always there when we need guidance, and I can’t say enough good things about her. I’ll wrap this up by saying that PQ Ambassadors is a program that truly makes a difference—not only for the students we work with but for us as ambassadors, too. Once a PQ Ambassador, always a PQ Ambassador!"
Aubrey Dykes, May 2025
"I have had so much fun being an ambassador, from the field trips to helping the community, it has been a great experience. I started being an ambassador in my sophomore year, at first, I was super nervous and shy, I’m already a quiet type of person so this was different for me but I was ready for the challenge. The training was fun and a way for me to come out of my shell and learn things, not only about teaching but about myself and the people that made me who I am. I have to give a big thanks to Mrs.Dail for all she has done for us, we wouldn’t have this without her amazing support, Mrs.Dail is so kindhearted
Working with the teachers has been amazing! I have been working with Mrs. Copeland and Mrs. Dail at HGS and it has been so much fun getting to make a connection with both the teachers and the children, I love to be helpful and I feel that I have been.
I am currently planning on being an elementary art teacher so working with the art teacher at the Grammar School has helped tremendously. I highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to work with children and maybe even become a teacher themselves!"
Jayla Turner, May 2025
"When I first started PQ ambassador, I honestly didn't think about how fun and how important this class and opportunity were. I just thought it would be an easy class where I easily earned an A in it. Even at the beginning during the first six weeks, I had learned so much more about teachers, and I also learned about the different qualities and skills it took to become the best teacher you can. I learned how I should speak to students on a daily basis and when they get in trouble. I learned how to read to students, and overall what it took to be a great and fun teacher. When I first walked into my kindergarten class, where I am an ambassador, I had gotten good vibes from the students, teacher, and the teacher assistant. Even on the first day, as soon as I had walked in the classroom I was greeted with so much love and hugs from the students. I was so excited to get to know the kids and to work with them everyday.
Fastforwarding to today, I am so happy that I took this class and opportunity to learn about what it takes to be a teacher and being able to actually go inside a classroom and observe to see what a teacher does and how they handle their classroom, and to actually get to experience some of what they do on a daily basis. By taking this class and opportunity you can learn and use some communication skills that will help you a lot in the future and other jobs, not just teaching. I really enjoy this class, as it was very interesting, informative, and interactive. I hope that the students who take this class in the future will have the same experience that I had while taking this class."
Taylor Honza, May 2025
"Looking back on my childhood, I am met with memories of spending my free time in my room, teaching my imaginary class on the whiteboard my dad installed on my wall. As I grew older, my dream of becoming a teacher slowly disappeared. I still loved the idea, but it seemed unrealistic due to the negativity surrounding education. However, during my junior year, I was given the opportunity to join PQ Ambassadors. I have spent countless hours at Hertford Grammar School, and I truly feel that is where my time is best spent. This program has relit my spark for teaching. When asked by my guidance counselor if I wanted to take the program again this year, I said yes with no hesitation. Throughout my time at HGS, I have assisted students academically one-on-one, in small groups, and have led full class instruction. This program has changed my life and my perspective of the world around me. Despite the amount of times I have heard “don’t be a teacher, they don't make enough money,” I believe there is more to education than teaching kids and receiving arguably inadequate paychecks.
Throughout my time at HGS, I shifted from being an unfamiliar face in front of a group of kids, to a person my kids ran up to and confided in every day. I have been told every struggle imaginable: bullying, abuse, divorce, a best friend moving, and even the death of a parent. I am grateful to have grown up in a loving and supportive family, however, I have realized that this is not the case for every child. I believe that some students must go to school to learn, and others must go to school to be loved. I strive to be a person that shows these children love daily. As a senior, my year has been full of essays and interviews for colleges and scholarships. I have not written one essay, or been in one interview, where I have not talked about PQ Ambassadors. This is without a doubt the program that has impacted me the most throughout my time in the Perquimans County School System. Not only have I been given the opportunity to impact the younger children in my community, but I have also been taught various skills and lessons that I will never forget. I would undoubtedly not be the person I am today had I not joined the PQ Ambassador program. The small children I have worked with have had the biggest impact on my life without knowing, and have allowed me to experience a great deal of personal growth. It has altered my thought processes, provided me with more confidence and leadership, taught me to step out of my comfort zone, and changed the way I view the world. It has created a sense of purpose and fulfillment in giving back to others.
I hope my time, dedication, and commitment to these kids have impacted them as much as it has impacted me. I am beyond grateful for Ms. Dail and the teachers I have worked under at HGS. I truly believe that the knowledge and experiences I have gained within this program will stick with me forever. I sincerely hope that the PQ Ambassadors program continues to thrive so it can have the impact on others that it did on me. "
Taylor Matthews, May 2025
"I originally joined the PQ Ambassadors class just to be with my friends and because I thought it would be an easy class. I had always been unsure about what I wanted to do when I grew up, whether it was being a therapist or a teacher. But after taking this class and spending every day with the amazing group of kids, I’ve learned so much more than just teaching methods. The class really helped me build my communication skills, solve problems, and think on my feet. It’s shown me how much I love teaching, and now I’m sure that's the path I want to take. I’m so excited to continue and become a Level 2 and 3 PQ Ambassador! PQ Ambassadors has definitely made an impact on my life, and I’m so grateful for everything I’ve learned!"
J'Kyrah Brown, May 2025
"Being that this is my first year being a PQ ambassador I do not have much experience with helping the children in school. However, I do have experience with just helping children in general. The kids in my community feel comfortable enough with me to want to come to me for advice. Before joining this program I had thought of becoming a teacher, but I never thought of actually going through with it. PQ ambassadors has helped me get a view of what it is like to be a teacher. Once I pursue my career in the medical field I think I will try to get into teaching. Within my time with PQ ambassadors I have been able to help students with areas they were struggling in with their work. I have also been able to help a student calm down from a temper tantrum and understand that every mistake comes with a lesson. As I continue to do this program I wish to grow closer with the students in my classroom and be able to be a great help to the teachers I will be working with."
Shelby Lowe, May 2025
"Since the 9th grade, I have known that I wanted to be a teacher. My band director, who is the best teacher I have ever had, inspired me to pursue this path. He made the classroom feel like home and treated us students like family. When I signed up for classes my senior year, I knew I wanted to take PQ Ambassadors, but there was one problem: there are no music teachers at the Grammar and Central schools, and the program doesn’t include the Middle School. While I wanted to teach kids, it seemed I wouldn’t learn how to teach the subject I loved. However, I reached out to Mrs. Dail to see if there was any way to help the middle school band class. With the help of Mr. and Mrs. Copeland, Mrs. Moreland, and Mrs. Dail, I was allowed to go to the Middle School to work with the 6th grade band students. Although I have only been helping the class for a short time, this experience has solidified my dream of becoming a band director. I love everyday that I get to go over and help them. I love music, and seeing those 6th graders find their love for music is so incredibly special to me. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity that PQ Ambassadors has given me to help others and find their love for music."
Jer'nasia Whidbee, May 2025
"My experience with being an PQ Ambassador has been the best experience ever. I wanted to join this program because I knew it was going to help me work on my social skills and leadership skills. The first six weeks was training and I feel like that is much needed because so many people come into PQ Ambassadors and don’t really know what to do in many situations. Within the past few weeks I have been a PQ Ambassador. Being an PQ Ambassador means a lot to me because yes i don't want to go into the education department but i'm also still trying to consider it. This program is helping me work on my social skills, leadership skills, creativity, and many more others. This program is also helping me prepare for my future career because I could also be working with young people like them.
When I first started the class I was most definitely not aware of how much talking we had to do in front of our peers but I had to get rid of the shyness really quickly because I had to go to the schools and actually talk and teach students. So this is my first year doing PQ Ambassadors and I chose to go to the Hertford Grammar School at level third grade. I chose third grade because the kids weren't so young but not as old either. I was very excited because I was partnered with a teacher that actually taught me and she was the best and still is. I was kinda nervous when I started but then the students got very comfortable with me and they started talking to me about random things and asking me if I knew their siblings pretty much stuff relating to that. The first day I started I did my introduction slide and introduced myself to the students and then I got right to work and started thinking about all the good things that Mrs Dail had taught us. I was very nervous but I kept thinking to myself it can’t be as bad and I'll get used to it every day that I come. There were many days I just didn’t feel like going and when I got there and got to the classes the students greeted me everyday and gave me lots of hugs. I knew when I first walked in the class I was surrounded by love.
So ever since I’ve been going I’ve been trying to make sure I bond with all the students and get to know them so that they will know I would never do anything to harm them and to be an open ear whenever they need me. I will say this program has given me many reasons why I should become a teacher but I’m just not sure if it's the career path I’m really interested in yet. This program has had a big influence on me because I've learned how to take leadership in front of big and little crowds, I’ve learned how to talk to people I don’t know without being as nervous as I was at first, I’ve learned how to be more creative with the way of teaching. I highly recommend this program to any arising sophomores, juniors, and seniors. PQ Ambassadors is a great program if students want to become teachers because it gives them the opportunity to work with students and actually see what it will be in the future. So I’m really hoping that this program will stay long, while I'm at PCHS and when I graduate.
I hope I have given anyone many reasons why PQ ambassadors should be a first on the list option on the electives list at PCHS. I am really excited that I got to participate in the PQ ambassadors program because it has taught me so much. Mrs Dail is doing a very good job at teaching us what we need to know to help those teachers and students. My teacher that I'm partnered with actually told me that me being in her class helping her and her students has been a very big help to her. My semester isn’t done yet but I have learned so much and the reflections on friday is something that i feel like is much needed because there are many things that go on in one week. So Friday is our reflection day so we sit and talk to Mrs Dail and let her know what’s going on or if we need her help doing anything or even some advice. Mrs Dail is always someone you can count on if you need any help doing anything, she's very thoughtful, nice, kind, sweet, and many more. I can literally go on for days talking good positive things about her. I’m going to bring this to an end by saying PQ Ambassadors should continue to be a class because it has helped many teachers. So once a PQ ambassador, always a PQ Ambassador."
Cadence Reel, May 2025
"When I started the PQ ambassadors class, I thought of it as an easy A and something fun to end my school day with, but now, halfway through the class, I see it as so much more than that. I am so excited
to continue and become a level 2 and 3 PQ ambassador. After our six weeks of training, I learned so much, and I wanted to continue to learn about being a teacher and what that job holds. On my first day in the class, I was so excited to meet the kids in the class and get to work with them. I have used so many of the skills Mrs. Dail has taught us while being in the classroom. This class is such a fun and interactive way to learn how to become a good teacher, and even if you do not want to be a teacher you learn so many other skills that will help you in life like communication skills and working with others to solve
problems, etc. I hope this class continues so other students can experience the same benefits we all have."
Mariyah Roller, May 2025
"Being an ambassador for my Connect class has been an eye-opening experience that has truly helped me explore whether I want to become a teacher. At first, I thought it would just be an easy class with my friends, but to quickly became so much more. Even though my schedule isn't the same every day, I've built strong bonds with my students, and seeing their growth has been incredibly rewarding. This opportunity has shown me the impact I can have on others and inspired me to consider a future in education seriously."
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