Day care center job moved Alshrenthia Cutliff toward teaching
Alshrenthia Cutliff
By Terry Lewis
ALBANY — During her early years at Albany State University, Alshrenthia Cutliff said she never really thought much about becoming a teacher … until she took a job working with the extended day program in her church’s day care center.
It was there Cutliff, a science teacher at Merry Acres Middle School, discovered something.
“Working with the older students challenged me to keep them engaged,” Cutliff, one of eight finalists for the 2016-17 Dougherty County Teacher of the Year, said. “This challenge influenced the teaching profession because I wanted a career that would not be monotonous in its daily operation. This influenced me to enroll in middle school education classes.”
Her job at the day care center also moved Cutliff more in the direction of teaching.
“I began to reflect on what kind of teacher I wanted to be in the classroom,” she said. “I looked back on some of the great teachers in my life and how they engaged their students. Mrs. Vera Phillips and Mrs. Sue Vansant influenced my teaching style. I remember the enthusiasm and expertise Mrs. Phillips brought daily to making Georgia Studies interesting and how much I looked forward to going to her class.
“In addition, I remember how Mrs. Vansant engaged us in her life science class through hands-on projects and outside activities. Their qualities inspired me to be the best I could be.”
One of Cutliff’s greatest professional accomplishments was having the most significant academic gains in the Dougherty County School System in science scores during the 2009-10 school year, and honor she achieved in spite of stressful circumstances.
“This came during a time when my mother was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and underwent surgery, she said. “I had to take some time off from work to care for her. Also, the school was being state-monitored at the time due to its classification as a failing school. As a result, I challenged myself to find new ways to teach in the classroom.
“All these circumstances caused me to persevere personally and professionally.”
Cutliff holds a BS degree in science and a master’s degree in Education from Albany State University, as well as an Education Specialist certification from Argosy University.
Dougherty County’s 2016-17 Teacher of the Year will be announced at a banquet Thursday evening at the Hilton Garden Inn.
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