My desire is to unlock the potential in each of my students through ENCOURAGEMENT, KINDNESS AND COMPASSION
WELCOME!
Personal and Professional Goals
- My personal and educational goals are to become an Elementary School Kindergarten Teacher. I am passionate about education and believe that helping children thrive in school is the key to having an overall healthy community.
Meet Ava Bailey!
ABCs and 123s
- “Me, me, me!” It’s my turn! I used to shout at the top of my lungs, waiving my hand in the air like I was in class trying to get my teachers attention to answer a question. I would hold my hand so high, for so long that my arm would start hurting, praying my older cousins would call on me to play the teacher next. I must’ve been around five years old at the time. Playing school was a big deal in our house, at least for me it was! When my cousins came over to visit, I couldn’t wait to play. Getting to be the teacher was the best part of the game. I knew from an early age what I wanted to be when I grew up. I used to daydream about having my very own classroom one day and decorating it with bright colors, letters, numbers, and posters with positive images representing every culture. There would be a sign on my desk that read, "Ms. Bailey" in a fun font, on display in front of my classroom. In my mind, this would be heaven!
- I always knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. I even knew what kind of teacher i wanted to be. I would be kind, caring and genuinely love my students. That desire hasn’t left me after all this time. I specifically want to focus on early childhood because they are still young and enthusiastic about learning.
- I come from a long history of women educators in my family, including my maternal and paternal grandmothers and several aunts. My paternal great-grandmother, Adelaide Griffin (Granny is what I called her), was a passionate and beloved Home Economics teacher for decades in Farmville, VA. She used to be so popular that there was a long waitlist to get into her class! My maternal grandmother, Grandma Betty, studied education at Howard University and became an elementary school teacher in DC shortly after graduating with honors before she became a Homemaker. I also have twin great-aunts, C. Ellen and C. Elaine Golding who were both Board Certified Licensed School Psychologists in New York City for over 40 years before retiring and another aunt, Dr. Keena Howell, M.Ed., Ed.D, who is a former School Counselor that currently works as a Coordinator for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). My mom, a Licensed DC Attorney, completed her Master of Education Degree in Counseling Psychology and also currently works for MCPS. Last but not least, my paternal grandmother, (Grammie Micki), was in a fatal car accident on the way to her final exam while pursuing a second Bachelor’s Degree in Kindergarten Education. That happened while my mother was pregnant with me, so sadly I never got to meet her. I’m told by everyone in our family that I am a lot like her! All these phenomenal women are an important part of me. They make up who I am today. They have all had an influence on me and have fed my passion for education and desire to become a teacher.
- My late grandfather, Dr. John V. Golding used to say, “If you give a man a fish, he will be able to eat fish for a day, but if you teach a man how to fish, he will have fish to eat for a lifetime”-Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, This really stuck with me through the years. I realize that I can have a huge impact on the lives of so many children by teaching them every day with kindness, empathy and compassion. I may not be teaching them how to fish but you get what I mean. Teaching them how to count and how to read will give them a strong foundation to build upon that will set them up for learning everything else they will need to know to succeed academically. If I am fortunate enough to be accepted to a college of my choice, I am willing to work as hard as I must in order reach my fullest potential and achieve my goal of becoming an teacher. This would truly be a dream, my dream, come true!
Kingdom Fellowship AME (KFAME) Nursery Volunteer
- I've served in my church nursery for over five years now, beginning in middle school. I help the lead teachers with preparation for lessons, arts and crafts and other creative workshops for students ages 3 to 5 ○ I help with snack distribution ensuring that every child receives a healthy snack ○ I read children’s books to groups of kids ○ I assist parents with electronic sign-in of their children, printing name tags and safely linking them with the correct parents at pick up time. I also, help clean up the classroom afterwards. https://www.kingdom.global/kingdomstudents/
Activities & Political Activism
Camp Sonshine Assistant Counselor
Minority Scholars Program (MSP)
Minority Scholars Program (MSP)
- Camp Sonshine is an award-winning, county, and state licensed Christian day camp in Maryland. Programs are tailored to meet the developmental needs of each age group that they serve. I was excited to work at Camp Sonshine helping summer campers with creating fun memories where they can experience God’s love. Camp Sonshine handpicks their staff from all over the world, selecting candidates who love working with youth and who intentionally model the kind of behavior parents want their children to emulate.
- It was a wonderful experience working with Camp Sonshine after being a camper there myself for many summers as a young child. https://campsonshine.org/
Minority Scholars Program (MSP)
Minority Scholars Program (MSP)
Minority Scholars Program (MSP)
- Myself and 400 other students across Montgomery County currently participate in the Minority Scholars Program (MSP), Our mission is to close the achievement gap between African-American and Latinx students, and our peers. MSP focuses on transforming Blake High School into a more equitable and inclusive environment for learning by developing students as leaders and employing a positive form of peer pressure with regards to achievement. https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/blakehs/
Political Activism
International Travel/Cultural Experiences
International Travel/Cultural Experiences
- I understand the importance of politics and the role it plays in our communities. I follow elections and current events; and have worked on local campaigns with my parents, assisting them with planning and organizing community events for candidates. I have also helped raise awareness by handing out flyers in my neighborhood and calling potential voters.
- Brenda Wolfe-Montgomery County School Board of Education (2022) https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/boe/members/district5/
- Will Jawando-Montgomery County Council (2018 and 2022)https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/jawando/
- Perry Paylor-Montgomery County State’s Attorney (2022) https://perrypaylor.com/
International Travel/Cultural Experiences
International Travel/Cultural Experiences
International Travel/Cultural Experiences
- I have been blessed to grow up in Montgomery County, and in a family with a diverse cultural background. I have taken full advantage of the vast opportunities that surround me. While I enjoy spending time with my friends, I also participate in more structured cultural activities and travel.
- I have had the privilege to travel to 5 different countries and counting, including: Spain; Italy; Panama; France; Jamaica and Morocco
- International Travel Highlights include visiting and touring the Panama Canal, Palma De Mallorca, Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Notre Dame De La Garde in Marsaille, Piazza Di Trevi (Trevi Fountain), The Coliseum in Rome , The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Tuscany, the Pompei Ruins and last but certainly not least, Boston Bay Jerk Center, the birth place of Jerk Chicken in Port Antonio, Jamaica!!
- Future International Travel Plans Include Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania and Egypt!
Right now!
On My Way to a Bright Future in Education!
- Education – James Hubert Blake High School (BHS) | Class of 2024: Specialized Educational Program, Early Childhood Development (a signature programs at BHS) https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/blakehs/
- In Home Child Care Provider (Summer 2023) - Experienced babysitter who responsibly cares for children and encourages fun, creative activities to aid children's growth. I focus on fostering curiosity and skill development while adhering to parents' preferred routines. I'm committed to maintaining a clean, secure, and organized environment.
- Creative Minds International Public Charter School (CMI)-Shadow (September 2023 - Current) - I'm a dedicated Kindergarten Shadow Teacher committed to assisting the Lead Teacher with implementing curriculum standards and providing proper classroom supervision. I assess each child’s individual needs and establish appropriate goals. I assist in maintaining a structured learning environment.
- CMI offers public school students in preschool through 8th grade a free international, arts-based, and inclusive educational opportunity through a student-centered pedagogical approach. Creative Minds is the only DC public school that offers a rich and progressive international curriculum, which incorporates the latest research on how children learn. https://www.creativemindspcs.org/
Community Service
Kingdom Fellowship AME (KFAME) Cares-Go Ministry
- During the Covid Pandemic, I helped my dad (a KFAME Trustee) with setting up food preparation for weekly free food distributions. I helped pack bags of produce, protein, and dry goods for distribution to less fortunate members of my community. I also helped with clean up afterwards. https://kingdom.global/
When Everyone Leaves! #StillServing
I began community service at a very young age. Here I am feeding members of my community experiencing homelessness on MLK Day of Service
Montgomery County Council Member At Large Will Jawando (Top Left)
Notre Dame De La Garde, Marseille (with my mom and Brother)
The Leaning Tower of Pisa!
Heading to Pompei Ruins
ROME with my Dad!
Activities
Kingdom Fellowship AME- Daughter of Esther, Rites of Passage Group 2023
- I have participated in a Young Women’s Rites of Passage Mentorship Program called Daughter's of Ester (DOE), consistently since 8th grade. As a part of DOE, I've participated in community service activities (like packing hygiene kits and feeding families experiencing homelessness), theatre events, creative activities, college readiness sessions, health fairs, etiquette classes, and life skills classes (focusing on work ethic & discipline). We also make time for fellowship and camaraderie with the other mentees.
Dance & Cheer
- Member of Unity Thunder Cheerleading Squad- UNITY is a proud member of the Mid Maryland Youth Football & Cheer League (MMYFCL) which has been a long-standing, high-quality league in Montgomery County. o UNITY is also a member of the Select Elite Championship Football Division (SECFD) for 6th, 7th & 8th Grade teams https://unitythunder.org/cheer/
- Member of Sky’s The Limit School of Dance, Director Hali Wallace https://skysthelimitdc.com/
- Member of The Children’s Theater Workshop, Inc. Summer Camp (TCTW)- TCTW provides the WDC area with high quality performing arts training for youth ages 6- 16 via multi-discipline summer camps. I participated in daily acting, singing and dance classes in preparation for a musical production. I was a member of the ensemble for a musical based on the life of August Wilson.
- Member of Pom Squad, Founder, ‘Ms. Tasha’ (former Co-Captain of Washington Football Team Cheerleading Squad)-Participated in local parades and performances. https://thepomsquad.org/
- Farquhar Middle School Poms-Performed at half-time during basketball games
My Favorite Books
Becoming By Michelle Obama
- This is one of my favorite books because I was so inspired by her life and her ability to overcome so many obstacles to become an Attorney and eventually the First African American, First Lady of The United States of America.
Holy Bible
- I am a proud Christian and was raised in the African Methodist Episcopalian (AME) denomination. This is one of the first books I was ever introduced to as a child and one that I refer to constantly for guidance on how to navigate life when I experience difficulties.
The Summer I Turned Pretty By Jenny Han
- In Summer, I like to do light reading, usually something suspenseful or some kind of mystery. Last summer, however, I decided to read, The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han, and was surprised by how much I enjoyed this fun coming of age beach read. I felt like I was at the beach with the characters the entire time. I could really relate to the main character Belly because she is developing into a women and figuring out so much about who she is.
Maya Angelou The Complete Poetry
- My Babu bought me this book for Christmas when I was 13 years old. My favorite Poem in her book is, "Still I Rise" because it reminds me that I can be resilient and strong when I need to be and as a young black woman in America, I can still rise even when I face setbacks .
Culinary Interest/Hobbies
Family Tradition
- Here, I'm making my grandma Betty's delicious Butter Sugar Christmas Cookies with my mom! I'm getting more into baking now but, I usually stick to cooking traditional Italian, Thai or Soul Food dishes. There are few things I love more than cooking.! Whenever I have free time, I like to research and prepare different cuisines from all around the world. The only thing I love more than cooking is eating it when it's ready! I think if for some reason I couldn't be a teacher, I would be a travelling personal chef!
