Alexis Pogonowski
I am an AACPS: Employee, AVID Teacher Specialist | 2016 Teacher of the Year Finalist
As a child, I remember being out and about with my parents, teachers and leaders in the Anne Arundel County public school system, as people would come up to us constantly to say “Are you Mr. And Ms. Pogonowski? Do you remember me? I was in your zoology class and I still remember that time we dissected a pig!” Or, “I didn’t have a voice until you taught me to write, thank you.” While I was too young to grasp the importance of those interactions, I still recognized that something special was going on.
My parents were TEACHERS.
I believe it was teaching that chose me, not the other way around.
I believe it’s that belief that sparks the fire. That belief in yourself to get you through the first year. Through your first tears, through your first set of frustrations and periods of mental and physical exhaustion, but also…your first small victories, smiles and first real sense of pride and belonging. It’s your belief that will soon be validated by the successes you see in your students, the ones you know that you made a difference to. This belief I’ve found in myself was strengthened by the belief my students had in me, and it has been validated by students running down the hallway waving college acceptance letters over their head and telling me that they never thought they would have this moment before entering my AVID classroom. It’s further validated by recent graduates taking the time to email me on their college move in day and say they wouldn’t be sitting on a college campus without my help and without the AVID program. Now as AVID Teacher Specialist, my belief that I make a difference is validated by the incredible educators and leaders that work within our AVID family. These validations mean everything, and bolster my belief that our efforts, as teachers, make all the difference in the world.
When I found the AVID program, I knew unequivocally that AACPS had been the right choice for me; more than that, it was where I was meant to be. This is a program that recognizes students who have the potential to go to a university and gives them whatever support they might need to get there. These are, more often than not, first generation college students who just might need a little extra guidance when it comes to reaching their goals. This is where I believe I found my true calling. My true WHY I got into this profession in the first place. These students gave me my purpose. And I give them my EVERYTHING. You know the ones. The one’s that make you realize how lucky you are to be a part of their lives. To be that someone that they can always count on. Now, my why is to help support every AVID teacher in the county so that they can experience the same feelings I have been so lucky enough to experience.
