Promise to dying mother sent Derrick Greene into education
Derrick Greene one of eight finalists for Dougherty County’s 2016-17 Teacher of the Year
Derrick Greene
By Terry Lewis
ALBANY — Lincoln Elementary Magnet School Coach Derrick Greene, one of eight candidates for Dougherty County’s 2016-17 Teacher of the Year, says several factors pushed him into becoming a teacher.
“Who I am, where I come from, how I was raised, where I was raised and by whom I was raised are all major factors that influenced my decision to become a teacher,” Greene said. “At an early age, my mother and father instilled in me the values of hard work, honesty and determination. Anything in life must be approached utilizing at least one of those three principles.
“Both of my parents stressed the need to get a quality education as it plays a major part in getting a ‘good job’ as it was often called.”
Life changed for Greene as he attended Alabama A&M University on a football scholarship. While in school, he learned his mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
“This was a very trying time for my family, and it was hard to watch my mother battle this debilitating disease,” Greene said. “She was courageous throughout the ordeal, however, it was not as easy for me to do the same. When I would come home to visit, it became harder and harder to leave her. Although she said she was alright, I could see she was becoming weaker and weaker.
“After months of struggling and debating, I made the decision to come home to help care for year. After about a year she lost her battle to breast cancer. She had made me promise to finish my degree. So I enrolled at Albany State University and made it happen.
“Overall I feel my attitude, past life experiences, devotion to shaping minds, and endurance are my greatest contributions to education.”
Greene holds a B.S. in Physical Education from Albany State and has been with the Dougherty County School System for the past 15 years.
In addition to Greene, the seven other Teacher of the Year finalists are: Nayonda Gibson, Monroe ; Kaysha Young-Brown, Live Oak Elementary; Alshrentia Cutliff, Merry Acres Middle School; Doris Greene, West Town Elementary; Yolanda Jackson, Albany Middle School; Jasmine McPhatter, Alice Coachman Elementary; Lidia Olds, International Studies Elementary Charter School.
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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