Today we’d like to introduce you to Destiny Evener
Hi Destiny, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am originally from Perry County, Pennsylvania. I grew up fishing, hunting, playing in the creeks, riding 4-wheelers, and so much more. I started working and paying bills at just 15 years old. I was babysitting constantly- running myself dry but work was work. I had to make money; I had things to pay. I always wanted to attend college, but it was never in the cards. Nobody in my family had gone to college- we didn’t have the money. I made it happen. I went to college and graduated with honors with a degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. I knew from a very young age I wanted to be a teacher. It was always in the cards for me. Throughout college, I had jobs. 4 at a time, actually once. I worked throughout college, even during student teaching. I graduated in December of 2023, and I immediately got a job down here in South Carolina. The day after graduation, I packed up my things and left PA.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
It’s never been a smooth road for me. I grew up with little to no money, living paycheck to paycheck with 6 people in my home. I had a beat-up Toyota Camry for my first car from the 90s. It got me from point A to point B, which mattered to me. Another struggle growing up was watching physical abuse, alcohol abuse, and drug addiction. I always wondered, “Why me and my family?”. But it was never a question of why; it was God intervening and saying, “I’m going to give this to someone strong,” and he chose me. I made it out, and I am strong. Everything that I have dealt with in my life made me who I am today.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a teacher. I currently teach first grade, and I am a first-year teacher. Something I am most proud of in my career is coming in as hard as it is during the middle of the year, making an impact, and improving students’ grades. With a lot of hard work, sweat, tears, and determination, I was able to set goals and expectations and excel in them for my students. Something that sets me apart from others is my determination. All teachers have determination, but my determination sets me apart because I won’t stop until someone excels. I will put every ounce of myself into work to help someone.
We’d love to hear what you think about risk-taking.
A significant risk I took was coming into a new state with new standards and ways of doing things and becoming a teacher halfway through the year. It’s hard enough to already memorize and understand a set of standards throughout college to then move to a new state and have to relearn everything. It’s a lot to relearn, and I ask myself if I’m doing the right things. Thankfully, I have such a fantastic first-grade team, and they help me more than I could ever thank them for.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: teachinglilpeeps
