When I graduated from high school, I had a low GPA and low SAT scores. There was nothing about my academic record that would have suggested I would become the person I am today. I am here because my parents believed in me. They stayed up with me night after night throughout my years of schooling, helping me learn, encouraging me, and believing in me when I did not yet believe in myself.
I became an educator so that I could do the same for other young people.
Howard University took a chance on me and accepted me provisionally. By the end of my freshman year, I was inducted into the honor society, and I ultimately graduated cum laude. People often fail to realize that when a student has an advocate—and when that student shows even a spark of potential—doors can and do open.
Because of my own story, whenever a student enters our school, even when they struggle academically, I encourage our community to believe the very best for them.
When Vance “Nue” Simmons came to The Living Water School seven or eight years ago, he reminded me so much of myself. He struggled academically. Reading and basic math were difficult for him. His experiences in previous schools had not served him well, and that is precisely why we exist. Schooling is never one-size-fits-all, which is why school choice matters—students need access to environments that allow them to thrive. Through the rigor and building blocks to learning found in a classical education, we were able to repair the ruins left by his educational experiences.
Our teachers worked tirelessly with Vance. At one point, before we became an online school, I even had a desk set up just for him in my office so he could sit with me while I worked with him one-on-one. Over time, something began to shift. By ninth grade we were online from Covid and decided to stay online. So we became a VCPE school (Virginia Private School) because we wanted to be able to reach more students. Vance showed us what was possible. Through our efforts with him, we could see growth, but there was still more work to be done. Four years was simply not enough time. After thoughtful conversation, we met with his parents and asked if we could keep him for an additional year. They agreed and supported that decision wholeheartedly.
Now, Vance is graduating.
He still works hard—but he has completed a full year of dual enrollment at Prince George’s Community College and passed all of his classes. He will graduate with at least 12 college credits, showing us that he is ready for the next level.
When we submitted his transcript through the Common App, I also wrote a letter of recommendation detailing his journey and all it took to get him to this point. I wrote about his kindness, his giftedness on the basketball court, and his sweet spirit. I encouraged him to apply to any college he wanted—even the ones he believed were out of reach. I told him that, truthfully, Howard probably should not have accepted me either. My journey was hard, too.
His parents attended workshops that encouraged them to aim high throughout the application process. Vance applied to a wide range of colleges. Then, around October, the acceptance letters began to arrive. Some of them even surprised me—but he did it.
All the summer school, tutoring, accountability, prayer, encouragement, and yes—fussing, then fussing again—paid off.
Vance’s story is the story of many of our students, time and time again. We will not stop until God tells us to, because this work is just too important. We are changing the trajectory of students’ lives.
This is our mission.
We welcome the gifted student and the struggling student, and we help them all believe that through Christ, anything is possible. We are so proud of you, Vance, and we are trusting God that this next chapter of your journey will be a blessing.
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