August 1, 2024
Partnership Teach allows mother-daughter duo to achieve education dreams
For Laura Lee and Mickayla Lee Willobee, education is a family affair. The mother and daughter recently completed their bachelor’s degrees in education through East Carolina University’s Partnership Teach program.
“When I had kids, I wanted to be the mother that was always there for them, so I put some of my dreams on the back burner until they were able to navigate life on their own,” Lee said. “What motivated me to choose the Partnership Teach program was my daughter, Mickayla, who convinced me to join this program with her.”
Partnership Teach allows individuals to begin their education degree at a North Carolina community college and finish is online through ECU’s College of Education while remaining in their home communities. This was one of the motivating factors for Willobee to choose the program.
“I needed to be able to stay home so that I could focus on my marriage, pets and family as well as further my career,” she said. “I hope to go back soon for an online master’s degree.”
Raising her children and seeing them grow into successful young women helped fuel Lee’s existing passion for knowledge and learning new things leading to her pursuit of a degree in middle grades education. This upcoming school year, she will teach sixth-grade English language arts (ELA).
“I think that it is imperative for children to have a solid structured foundation especially in core classes such as ELA in order to move into middle school and beyond,” she said. “Sixth grade is a pivotal year for students as they continue to grow and succeed.”
Willobee’s passion for teaching has roots in her own educational experience. After being diagnosed with ADHD after finishing her associate’s degree, she understood why school was, at times, difficult for her.
“This made me want to be the type of teacher that I needed when I was going through school so that I will be able to recognize students and their abilities, disabilities and neurodivergence to create a safe, culturally responsive classroom for students to feel comfortable,” she said.
In her journey to achieving her elementary education degree, Willobee notes she is most proud of the score she received on her edTPA, a portfolio-based assessment evaluating an individual’s readiness for teaching.
“My sister is a high school teacher and she is one of the smartest people I know,” she said. “I managed to make the same score as her on my edTPA, along with the same GPA as her. I pride myself on this because great minds think alike and I am proud to follow in her footsteps.”
Throughout the process, Lee and Willobee took inspiration from each other’s progress.
“I felt inspired the second my mom started because she is 55 years old and she has pushed herself to create a new beginning, showing people of all ages that it’s never too late to start something that you love and succeed at it,” Willobee said.
Both women agreed that anyone looking to start their teaching degree should pursue their dreams.
“Being a lifelong learner is important,” Lee said. “No matter the age or circumstances, you should always strive to meet your goals. It is never too late to change your life’s trajectory.”
Willobee agreed: “Our wish is for anyone who is thinking of joining ECU to have the greatest success. Don’t forget to begin your journey with full confidence. With belief in yourself, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to!”