In the art-adorned hallways and classrooms at Fairview Elementary, one person stands way above the crowd — literally.
Columbus High School senior Damian Ross has made his presence known after two visits to the school he attended from kindergarten through fifth grade, this time as a budding teacher.
“I started in the Future Teachers Club in the 10th grade,” Ross said. “I wanted to be a teacher, but I didn’t know where I should start. … When I started in the club, it was very eye-opening because at first I thought, ‘Oh it’s easy. As a teacher, you teach.’ That was until I got lesson plans. I was literally up at night time making sure things were correct.”
Fairview Principal Monte Ewing said only one school visit with hands-on experience is required for FTC, and Ross was only set to stay a few hours that turned into five. Now, at the end of his senior year, he returned Tuesday for a second time to spend the whole day helping Tamie Sykes with fourth-grade math.
He plans to come “a lot more” as his year winds down, and Ewing said the students and teachers all love it when he comes.
“Elementary kids like everybody,” Ewing said. “When he walked in, he said, ‘I’m a senior at Columbus High School.’ He got a standing ovation. I don’t know why they were clapping or why it made them so happy. He just has this personality. He’s very personable and kind, so who wouldn’t gravitate toward him?”
Ross wants to be an elementary school teacher despite the field being female-dominated. He told The Dispatch when people asked why he wanted to go into a career that was “for women,” it sparked a fire in him.
He started out wanting to be a nurse but soon figured out the path was not one he wanted to pursue thanks to classes at CHS. He said he called on God to lead him where he was meant to be, and that’s how he landed on teaching.
“I sought God, and there’s this scripture that says he knows the plans he has for you — that’s a true scripture,” Ross said. “… I talked to the Lord about it like, ‘I’m in high school now, so I need to know what is your plan for me?’ He didn’t talk to me for a long time. He didn’t say anything. I used to play school all the time, then He brought that thought to me. ‘Remember this? I was preparing you (to be a teacher).’”
Ross intends to go to East Mississippi Community College in Scooba to get his prerequisite classes done then go to Mississippi University for Women for his bachelor’s degree. When he finishes college, he wishes to work somewhere out-of-state to teach as he’s spent his whole life in Mississippi.
Even though he wants to leave the state, returning isn’t off the table.
“My plan is — well it’s God’s plan, not Damian’s plan — to go out-of-state to teach because I’ve been here so long, all of my life,” Ross said. “I want to go where it’s uncommon, and in that uncommon place, I want to make a change.”
Sykes pointed out that everyone has a shortage of teachers, and there will always be a job for someone who wants to teach.
“I always tell the kids, ‘You can be anything you want to be. The only thing holding you back is yourself,’” Sykes said. “… When you get it in your mind what you want to be, nobody should stop you, especially not yourself thinking it’s too hard. You have to persevere. Nothing good in life is going to be easy.”
Throughout his life, Ross has carried words from his kindergarten teacher with him through tough times — “You are special.”
He hopes to be the figure for students to turn to for guidance and words of encouragement when it seems like nothing is going their way. He also wants to help other students who may want to be a teacher too.
“Nothing is too hard for God,” Ross said. “If you trust him in the process and not do what you want to do, he will lead you the right way. You’re never too young for God to use you.”
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 43 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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