Wendy Magness, 54, decided to pursue a career in education after becoming a mom. “I started college majoring in music but after a few years I married and my first child was born.”

She found that being a musician wasn’t what was best for her family. “I realized that a performance music degree would have me traveling and I didn’t want to travel now that I was a mom,” she said. “I spoke with my advisor and she suggested education.”

Despite never considering education as a career, the transition was smooth. “Even though I had never considered education, I didn’t have to think twice. It just felt right from the start,” she explained. “I dove in head first and knew that it was a calling. I was blessed to have the opportunity.”

After attending several high schools in Texas, Magness found herself graduating from Barbe High School. She attended McNeese for two years before moving back to Texas to earn her Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in elementary education from Sam Houston State University. She then received a specialization in biology. She earned her master’s degree from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, and is attending the University of Louisiana Monroe.

She began her career at Austin Elementary in Baytown, Texas, where she taught for 11 years. She then moved back to Southwest Louisiana, where she taught at Brentwood Elementary for one year before moving to her current role at Lake Charles Charter Academy.

Magness has come to love every aspect of teaching, but derives the most joy from working one-on-one with students of all ages.

She fervently believes every student is capable of being taught. “All children can learn,” she said. “If I teach them passionately, they will learn it.”

She believes the best way to approach and teach students is with empathy. “I listen to them.”

“When I hear what they are thinking or how they interpret a situation, it helps me to understand where they are coming from and what I need to do to help them be successful.”

Her students keep her down to earth and remind her of the importance of her role as an educator. “They keep me grounded, and they give me a greater purpose,” she said. “They help me to be a better teacher by being themselves.”

Magness’ advice for teachers, green or seasoned, is to “give it all you’ve got.”

“Teaching is very fulfilling and if you are passionate, keep moving forward. You won’t regret it.”