Chinique Pressley was born and raised in the Bronx, N.Y. She attended Morris College in Sumter, South Carolina and majored in Elementary Education. She’s been teaching for over eighteen years and is still loving it. Chinique says “It’s not a job, it’s my passion and dream.”
What inspired you to become a teacher?
My mother inspired me to become a teacher, she has been teaching for over 40 years and retired last year. I always knew I wanted to become a teacher because when I was four years old I used to line up my dolls and teach them with my easel. I loved playing school with my dolls and friends.
This is Women’s History Month, who are the women in your life you look up to?
Wow! I have two wonderful females in my life that I look up to. Mrs. Jannie Pressley my mother, and my daughter Kyanna Pressley. My mother instilled in me the foundation about who I am today. She was very strict and of course I couldn’t understand why, but now I realize and understand. I want to acknowledge her and say thank you for everything that she has done for me. My daughter K’yanna is my inspiration and shining star, K’yanna has always been gifted and talented since she was born. I always tell her you can be anything you want as long as you put your mind to it. And that’s what she does, always focused.
Is there a moment teaching that you always remember, I know you must have many?
Yes I do! The one that touches my heart the most is a young girl named “Jetta.” I was pregnant with my daughter and she made me a Mother’s Day card, inside the card it said “your baby is going to be lucky to have a mother like you, I love you.” That really touched my heart, it brought tears to my eyes. This was a student that was very challenging and she did not dislike me, she loved me.
What advice would you like to give to young people that want to become teachers one day?
I will tell them to put God first and do not let anybody or anything stop you from achieving your goals and dreams. Education is important, always be open-minded and willing to learn.