Tasheria Patterson Small

Tasheria Patterson Small ('11 Elementary Education), 2019 Alumni of Achievement honoree.

Tasheria Patterson Small

While a student at UAH, alumna Tasheria Patterson Small learned character traits that money can’t buy: the value of partnerships and service-learning. "I have developed problem-solving skills that I can apply to my professional and personal life."

Small, a professional development specialist with the Huntsville City School Board will be honored as a 2019 Alumni of Achievement (AOA) recipient on Saturday, Oct. 26, on the UAH campus. "This recognition is motivating and humbling. It is a reminder that the work I do each day in the field of education, matters.

"The AOA award proves that hard work, dedication and courage will inspire and encourage those around you and I wouldn’t be where I am today if not for my support system," she added.

One of Small’s favorite UAH experiences is a lesson planning session in Dr. Monica Dillihunt’s classroom.

"I was afraid of the process. I was unsure where my path would take me. Dr. Dillihunt is a questionologist. She helped to extend my thinking, taught me to step outside of my comfort zone, to trust myself and the process," said Small. "I am so grateful for her insight and advice. I am a better person…a better teacher because she helped me to think critically about every lesson and every student. This is my favorite experience because it inspired me to simply take time to recognize the work of others around me," she added.

Small’s professional education experience includes providing learning opportunities to teachers based on expressed needs, working with colleges and universities to determine intern placement within schools, establishing a district professional development plan based on teacher needs, and developed a new teacher induction program and analyzed data to determine progress and future advancement.

"With pride, I say that UAH has taught me to be a True Charger:

Collaborative

Hard worker

Aware

Reflective

Goal-oriented

Empathic

Resilient


Contact

Karen Brennan
 256.824.2586
Karen.Brennan@uah.edu