High School Teacher, Santa Maria, Sal, Cape Verde

Our flight from Sal, Cape Verde to North America was cancelled with no clue about the next one’s timing (a week or a day later?). We sensed little urgency from the airline who sent cancellation email from a gmail account the night before. Spam caught that message. We all showed up at the crack of dawn and, three hours of broken Portuguese later, were sent back to Santa Maria, to wait three more nights.

The abrupt change of plans brought me to two wonderful ladies. Ms. Jaleshea Cobbs ventured out to the islands in the middle of the Atlantic together with her good friend; a pair of adventurous teachers veering off the beaten path.

From the get go I knew that Jaleshea just had to be excellent at her job. She emanated calmness and maintained stoic composure amid the chaos; an example of an educator who has seen and handled wackier inconveniences, dealt with much more difficult personalities and overcame harsher roadblocks. When I looked up the meaning of her name ‘Jaleshea’, had to agree wholeheartedly: explorer, great companion, trustworthy. The little time I spent getting to know her, the three descriptors fit to a T.

1. Name.

Jaleshea Cobbs

2. Where is your hometown?

Washington, DC 

3. What is your profession/career/title/self-label/designation? What does your average day look like?

I am a teacher. I teach United States Government and Politics. My day usually consists of having three classes a day, a period to grade papers and plan lessons, and meet with students. 

4. What did you study in school?

I studied Integrated Social Studies which is a secondary education degree.

5. What was the journey like to get where you are (in life and career-wise)? Write about some of the achievements that you are most proud of. What was the breakthrough moment for you (in your personal life and/or career?) that set you on the current path in life?

After high school I went to community college (because my grades were horrible!), there I studied business administration. I worked full time while in community college, so it took me a while to get credits built up. During this time I began to consider teaching because I felt that I was not prepared for college and not many teachers cared much for me. As a result, I decided to transfer to a four year institution to gain a degree to be able to teach history to teenagers.

When I transferred I basically had to start all over again and it took me four years to graduate. I ended up graduating at 25 and it was rough. I felt so behind and it definitely wasn’t where I would’ve seen my life by then. It was really tough finding a teaching job, so for the first year I worked at a boarding school in the residency program, which was miserable. I was able to find a teaching job my second year out of college. My first four years were amazing. I fell in love with teaching! I even won teacher of the year in my school. I felt like I was thriving and growing as an educator. I knew I wanted to teach forever.

6. How is your life different from what you pictured at 20?

I thought I’d be married and have kids by now to be honest. I never thought I’d be a 35 year old single woman living in the city, but I love my life and all that comes with it. 

7. Was there a time when life knocked you down or out and how did you get back up on your feet?

Yes, after four years I decided to move on from the first school I taught at because the pay was low and I had no benefits. As a result I moved to a new school and I was really excited about the opportunity. Unfortunately this school sucked the life out of me. By the middle of my third year I wanted to go into another profession and actually started to apply for jobs in other fields. 

Thankfully those opportunities never worked out and I was able to land a teaching job at my current school. It completely revitalized my love for teaching. It was really God’s grace that held me back on my feet. I went through a really dark season of depression. I know God helped me through it and put me in the position I am in today. 

8. Advice for other women?

Don’t let society define what it means to be a woman. Be true to who you are even if it doesn’t fit the mold of what society says you should be like or look like. It’s miserable to be something you are not. Be YOU! 

9. Knowing what we know now in a current political climate, can women be "all that we can be" in today's world? What is the way forward, as you see it, for "feminist values"?

I think the only way we move forward is if women continue to be “all that we can be.” Let's be honest women are what makes the world keep thriving. The love, compassion, zeal, and drive is what we must continue to display in this world and we’ll get through even this political climate, because we’ve gone through much worse.

11. What extra-curricular activities/hobbies are you most proud of? Why?

I like to travel. It allows me to get out of my little American bubble and experience new places and cultures. 

12. What do you want to be when you grow up? Future goals/challenges?

I want to be a curriculum developer. My goal is to create a culturally relevant social studies curriculum for schools. I want little girls and boys that look like me to see themselves in history books. It’s challenging finding Master’s programs that will help me accomplish this goal unfortunately. But I’m moving forward no matter what.

13. What fears are you still hoping to overcome?

The fear of deep water. I had a bad incident during a triathlon a couple years ago. Each summer I get closer and closer to overcoming that fear by getting back in the pool and working on my swimming. 

15. What inspires you?

Many things inspire me. My faith in God is the most important. The selfless life Jesus led. I can't believe how much love and compassion he showed to people that hated Him. Then my ancestors and those who came before that persevered through various trials.  

16. What are you hopeful about?

Trump not getting re-elected in November. 

17. What are some ingredients to a good life?

Faith, family, community, and love for neighbor.

18. What are (at least) three qualities you most love about yourself and why?

Being a black woman - because of the perseverance through the struggle that has made black women a strong and powerful source in society. I’m inclusive - because I love making sure people are welcome. I’m loyal - because once I’m committed, I’m dedicated.

19. What advice would you give your 14-year-old self?

Take your studies seriously. 

20. What are you reading now? (what books do you gift most and what are your favourite reads?)

Currently reading Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World by Anand Giridharadas 

21. Who is a WOW WOMAN in your world who inspires you and why? Can you nominate three (or more) women you know who perfectly fit WOW WOMAN description? What would you tell them, if you had an opportunity, why you admire them?

Ashley, Tia, and Alicia. They inspire me because they take their jobs seriously and do what is best for the kids. They also push me to be a better teacher. 

22. Where can others find you/your work (links to websites, blogs, etc.)?

You can follow me on twitter @Jalee_116