If it were not for Dianna Myles’ decision to join Teach for America two years ago, eighth graders at Normandy Middle School wouldn’t have had the experiences they so appreciate in Myles class: reading the Harry Potter books and learning the nitty-gritty on how to get into college.
A dedicated educator and a self-admitted perfectionist, she brings out the best in students by always motivating them to strive for the best. At 24, she is paving the way for a new generation of young black professionals.
“She’s the best teacher in the school,” student Rafael Monge said.
Before teaching, Myles was a student at Emory University in Atlanta. She wanted to take a break in between her undergraduate studies and law school, so she signed up for a two-year stint with Teach for America.
She spent a year at “boot camp” learning teaching techniques, then was hired to teach in St. Louis. It was her desire to help shape children’s lives that spurred her to join TFA.
“I came out of college thinking that education is one area that really needs to be improved in this nation,” Myles said.
Myles, who grew up in an unincorporated area of Riverview, spent most of her two years at Normandy Middle School teaching literature. Although Myles considers herself to be a “hard teacher,” students call her fun and appreciate the energy that she brings to the classroom.
“She’s a great, fun teacher,” student Aaliyah Bruce said. “She has interesting projects that no other teacher would.”
Myles uses an innovative incentive program she adopted from JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series to keep students on track. With the program, students must work together to earn points for behavior, participation, exceptional work and volunteerism. At the end of the year, the group (or house) with the most points will get dinner and a trip to Sky Zone Recreational Center in Chesterfield.
Just recently, she showed her eighth graders the college application process because, she says, it’s never too early to start.
“She always has something to do,” said student Carltez Williams.
Myles says she has always been very independent, even as a child. She attended parochial schools for elementary and middle school, and then went to Metro, a public school located at 4015 McPherson Ave., for high school.
In college, her drive led her to create and direct Emory’s only children’s musical theater program for inner-city middle school students, known as BLAST – Bringing Up Leaders and Achievers Student Theater. Through her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, she organized a Health Week on campus, which included programs on black women and depression, domestic violence, child exploitation and safe sex.
As a member of Emory’s College Council, she founded and organized the council’s first “Salute to Service” week. She also served in the yearlong Kenneth Cole Fellowship for Community Building and Social Change. Her hard work culminated her senior year, when she received Emory’s Humanitarian Award, which recognizes students who embody a spirit of volunteerism and sense of community.
“If you want to be a person of influence or a person who affects the community, I think that you need to find your own way, find your own voice and understand what is important to you,” Myles said.
And Myles takes that hard work and commitment to service – in which she adopted from her role model Marian Wright Edelman, the founder of the Children’s Defense Fund – into the classroom.
With several students thanking her and promising to visit her next year, Myles now knows how much her students value and respect her efforts as a teacher.
Student Dashea Franklin said she would never forget the fun she had in Myles’ class, especially the day she let them play games and listen to music.
“She’s hands-on,” said student Christopher Hunter. “Instead of just asking you to do the work, she’ll come and help you and give you examples.”
The middle of three children, Myles – or DJ, as one friend affectionately calls her – enjoys cooking, reading and, surprisingly, Highland Dance, a style of dance derived from ancient Scotland. Although she will not be teaching next year, she said she would still be around to check up on her former students. In the fall, she will set her sights on a new venture – law school at the University of Pennsylvania.
“I’ll miss the kids the most,” Myles said. “I really care about them knowing everything that I didn’t know at that age.”