Latinda Dean never intended to be a teacher, but fate had other plans

ALBANY — Unlike many of the other Dougherty County School System 2015-16 Teacher of the Year finalists, as a little girl growing up Latinda Dean never saw herself becoming a teacher. But fate had other plans for her.

“Although teaching is a noble profession, it’s not something I ever imagined myself doing,” Dean, a ninth-grade literature teacher at Albany High School, said. “When I began my college career, I was embarking on a path to become an anesthesiologist. I was a Biology pre-med major and was all set to take on the sciences. However, I wasn’t motivated and changed my major to English pre-law. I did well in my major courses, but it became apparent to me I did not want to become a lawyer.

“I was in my junior year at the University of Georgia and had no idea what I wanted to do with my life.”

Dean decided she wanted to be a journalist, but she secured no internships.

“I was in my last month of college and I had no prospects whatsoever,” she said.

A month from graduation and desperate for a job, fate stepped in.

“One of my mother’s friends worked at the Dooley County Board of Education and told her they were looking for a high school English teacher,” Dean recalled. “At my parents’ urging, I submitted a resume and was called in for an interview. Although I had no formal training in the field of education, Principal Randolph Ford hired me.”

Dean had intended to teach for a year then look for a journalism job in Atlanta. But once again, fate had different plans.

“One year after the next passed and I had an epiphany,” she said. “Teaching was my calling. I am deeply passionate about my students and the quality of education they receive. Once I realized that, I knew I would remain in education. I am a teacher who genuinely cares about her students. One must be able to meet a student where he or she is, then try to bring them up. This is not an easy task.

“This is what I strive to do every day.”

Dean holds a B.A. in English from the University of Georgia and an M.S. in Management from Troy State University.

Dougherty County’s 2015-16 Teacher of the Year will be announced Thursday evening at a banquet at the Hilton Garden Inn.