< Previous30 | The Daily News | 40 Under 40 | 2022 LIVES: LA MARQUE WORKS: CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL/ GALVESTON ISD Ashley Willis, 32 Fifth grade teacher Why did you go into your particular field? I’ve always wanted to help other children, even as a child. I started tutoring at a young age and babysitting other children. It is a passion of mine to help and watch children grow and become successful. As far as my business, well, clothes have a way of building a person’s self esteem, and if I can be a part of making that happened, then I’m all in. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I’ve always wanted to be a teacher or child psychologist. I’ve never really wavered from that. What was your first job? My first job was when I was in high school at Taco Bell and Joe’s Crab Shack. I worked two jobs. It’s just the hustle in me. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? The best advice I’ve ever received came from my grandmother. She told me no one in this world owes you anything and she was right. So, now I go hard for what I want whether it be a job, a business, an opportunity, finances, etc. Whatever it may be, I don’t expect anything to be handed to me. I’m going to go get it. What’s your favorite thing about your job? The relationships I build. I have had the pleasure to meet some great people and great children. To see the children later on down the road run up to you and hug you and want to tell you about their life, it is an indescribable feeling. What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started your career? Everything that I try hard to teach children through the FEAR program. I wish I would have known more about school loans, financial literacy, career options and to just enjoy being a kid while I was a kid. Knowing all of these key things would have made a huge difference in my life. These are things that should be taught to all kids. Who do you consider to be your greatest mentor and why? There are so many great mentors in my life it would be remiss of me to only mention one. When you’re not at work, what do you do to relax? I spend time with my family. Family time is very important to me. What is something about you that most people don’t know? I’m not as serious as people think I am. I have a very humorous side, well, I think so. How do you hope to grow in your career? I hope to one day have a program that will be implemented in several districts and my clothing business be all over the U.S. If you couldn’t do what you’re doing now, what would you be doing? Nursing for sure. I’m all about the people. LIVES: TEXAS CITY WORKS: CLEAR CREEK ISD Letrina Young-Swisher, 37 Pre-K4 teacher Why did you go into your particular field? I went into the field of education because I enjoy teaching students and helping to guide our future community leaders. I have been surrounded by educators my entire life. My mother taught for 44 years in special education; I have aunts who are teachers; cousins; and a brother who is a professor in education. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I knew at an early age that I wanted to be a teacher. I loved playing after school in my mom’s classroom. I would pretend I was the teacher and learned early what using my teacher voice looked like. When I attended college, I thought that maybe I should try something different and went into psychology. It was into my second semester of my first year that I realized I needed to follow my heart. This led me into changing my major to elementary education. What was your first job? My first job was a working at Luther’s Bar-B-Q. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? The best advice received came from my mom and it was to simply pray first. What’s your favorite thing about your job? I enjoy watching my students apply the information they learn not only in the classroom but in life. What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started your career? My journey through education would be a big part of my life story. Who do you consider to be your greatest mentor and why? I come from a large family of educators and each one has truly made an impact on my success in education. I truly cannot say that one person has been my greatest mentor, but I can say that several people have had a positive impact on my career. My mom is the reason why I am in education. She showed me at an early age how to make connections with students, saw my leadership skills, and has been my biggest cheerleader. My aunt Maxine Ferguson taught me to expect only the best from my students and how to help guide them to being their best self. Mrs. Jo Ann Stringfellow is a previous principal I worked for and taught me to challenge myself, and Mrs. Gwendolyn Darnell, a previous colleague, supported my creativity on along this journey. When you’re not at work, what do you do to relax? I enjoy listening to music and spending time with family. What is something about you that most people don’t know? I enjoy sports. I played basketball in middle school and was on my high school’s powerlifting team. How do you hope to grow in your career? I hope to one day become an administrator in education. If you couldn’t do what you’re doing now, what would you be doing? I would write children’s books. IT IS A PASSION OF MINE TO HELP AND WATCH CHILDREN GROW AND BECOME SUCCESSFUL. I ENJOY TEACHING STUDENTS AND HELPING TO GUIDE OUR FUTURE COMMUNITY LEADERS.2022 | 40 Under 40 | The Daily News | 31Congratulations! Congratulations to all of the hard-working professionals honored as part of this year’s 40 Under 40 , including those from UTMB: Shayna Bell City of Residence: La Marque UTMB Role: Senior Administrative Manager Affiliations: Galveston County Coalition Andrea Francis City of Residence: Galveston UTMB Role: Student, John Sealy School of Medicine and creator of Hats for the Homeless Dr. Amy Gonzalez City of Residence: Galveston UTMB Role: Pediatric Hospitalist and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics Affiliations: Junior League of Galveston County; GISD Educational Foundation Sarah Lindsay City of Residence: Galveston UTMB Role: Nurse Practitioner, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Affiliations: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners; St. Vincent’s Clinic Dr. Stacia Pfost City of Residence: Galveston UTMB Role: Surgery Resident Alberto Maldonado City of Residence: Galveston UTMB Role: Student, John Sealy School of Medicine Learn more at: utmbhealth.com 32 | The Daily News | 40 Under 40 | 2022Next >