Teacher Brings Equitable Education to Virginia

Only a year into Longwood’s Master of Science Degree in Education, Garria Yuille already sees education from a new perspective. As a social studies teacher at E.C. Glass High School in Lynchburg, Va., she looks at  challenges within her school differently. 

“I see challenges through my leadership lens,” Yuille said. 

Yuille’s leadership lens amplifies the significance of social justice, equity and collaboration amongst educators — all elements she has put into practice in Longwood’s Education, M.S., Educational Leadership program and taken back to her own classroom. Shaping global citizens, making history relevant and encouraging high schoolers to explore the diversity of the world fuel Yuille’s work.

“As an African American educator, I believe social justice needs to be a topic of discussion in our schools. If not in our schools, then where? Our differences are what make us unique,” she said. “Every child deserves an equitable education and support no matter what it takes.”

Longwood’s social justice focus led Yuille to begin researching and writing her graduate capstone project entitled “Black Literacy Matters,” addressing the causes of why African-American students are not reading on grade level by high school. Such impactful coursework, paired with classroom simulations and case studies, has helped Yuille fuse theory with real-world relevance as she practices making unbiased, nondiscriminatory decisions. At Longwood, Yuille has stepped into the shoes of a school leader, developing skills that prepare her to effectively lead in any educational space. 

In fact, Longwood’s program has done more than transform Yuille’s understanding of educational leadership. It has also encouraged her to be more involved in her own community, making connections that will impact her students’ lives. Currently a volunteer at the Jubilee Family Development Center in Lynchburg, she reads to elementary school students, helps middle and high school students with homework, and serves meals. She also volunteers as a ticket-taker for her school’s athletic program, specifically to connect with parents, students and law enforcement in a constructive way outside school hours. 

“I am going to use this degree to make a difference and positively impact the next generation of leaders,” Yuille said.

Leaders making a difference is something Yuille has had firsthand experience with at Longwood. The relationships she’s built with her professors have pushed her to succeed academically and supported her progress. During an especially stressful first semester, Yuille found herself worried about a research paper and feeling generally overwhelmed and inadequate. Program Director Dr. Sarah Tanner-Anderson’s encouragement to lean on her cohort for support and trust her own writing skills propelled Yuille forward. 

“I have never met a professor who cared so much about me. The faculty and staff at Longwood really want their students to succeed,” said Yuille. “My favorite part about this program is that I do not have to take this journey by myself.”

While Yuille’s journey at Longwood will culminate with a master’s degree in 2023, she stands poised to start a new quest for truly equitable education in Virginia.

“Every child should be given the same educational opportunities, resources, and access to information no matter their race, nationality, gender, cultural background, socio-economic status, language, religious affiliation, immigration status, disabilities, special needs, or identity,” Yuille said. “I believe that all children are resilient, remarkable and reachable.”