Our Students, Now: Mount Vernon Leadership Academy Social Worker Alethia Bryan

Alethia Bryan, Social Worker at Mount Vernon Leadership Academy, graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1986. She began working in the shelter and foster care system, but she transitioned to education because she wanted to impact the most children she possibly could. She started working in the school district she was raised in and has been able to accomplish that goal. Ms. Bryan was named Educator of the Year at Mount Vernon Leadership for her work with students during the 2023-2024 school year.  

“Ms. Bryan has done fantastic work to support our students, and we were proud to award her as an Educator of the Year,” said Acting Superintendent Dr. K. Veronica Smith. “We are so grateful to have her working with us, and I am looking forward to seeing how she continues to influence our scholars this school year. Thank you, Ms. Bryan, for everything you do for our students!”  

View the Q+A with her below!  
 
1. What inspired you to come back to Mount Vernon City School District and be an educator?  
 
I was working in NYC in the shelter and foster care system when I realized I wanted to work with as many children as possible. I also came to realize that in my work with children and families I had an innate and natural way of relating to children. I decided I needed to be at a job that would allow me to encounter and be a role model to as many children as possible and that would have to be in a school. I thought, why not the schools I was a product of when growing up in Mount Vernon. 

2. Is there a teacher or mentor that you can remember from your time here at Mount Vernon that inspires you in your work today?  

I had a few teachers at Mount Vernon High School whom I admired because they pushed me to work hard, be successful and go to college. To name a few, there was Ms. Brenda Smith, Ms. Hattar, Mr. Rajczewski, Mr. Fiorentino, Mr. Kintz, Mr. Howard, Mr. Jordano, Mr. Alberga, Ms. Sharon Bradley, etc., etc. All my teachers genuinely cared about me and were vested in my well-being. They always had inspiring and kind words to share, and they made learning fun and interesting.  

3. What did you take from them and how do you transfer that to current students?  
 
What I took from them is if you put your mind to what you want in life, all things are achievable. Also, build relationships with adults who want to see you be your best self and lastly education shapes you as a person and creates vast opportunities. 

4. From where did you gain inspiration for becoming an educator? 
 
My family prides itself on having a good education to live a comfortable lifestyle, to be self-sufficient and knowledgeable about things and the world around you. With this being at the core of who I am, I want other children to know and understand the importance of education, and I am in the schools to help nurture and foster this thinking. 

5. What is the feeling you get when you walk the same halls you graduated from?  
 
It is bittersweet because I remember the good times I had but then the reality sits in on how much I miss those times and the friends I made, whom I do not get to see on a regular basis. 

6. Do you have any advice for students who want to pursue education in the future?  
 
The advice I would give is if you are going to go into education as a career option make sure it is something you want to do because educators have a big responsibility to another person, which is shaping the hearts and minds of children. And if you ever find you are no longer happy being an educator, leave the field and find something that will make you happy because if you stay you will have a negative impact on children who are impressionable and vulnerable.  

7. What do you wish someone had told you when you were in school that could help someone on their journey to becoming an educator? 
 
Well, I would simply say children are the future and as an educator you have a duty and responsibility to pour into them. Always remember that children are like sponges and watch everything you do and speak. Look at the different platforms in education to try and find your niche because if you are going to be on stage all day, every day in a classroom, you should love what you are doing. 

8. What do you know now that you wish you knew during your time in the school district?  

That it takes a lot of time and commitment to get our students to learn and be vested in the education process. In addition, the struggle to gain their interest and attention as well as the trust of parents is an enormous task. 

9. What advice do you give current students today to help them on their academic and/or career journey?  
 
Well, work hard despite barriers and challenges, study every day, make connections to staff you trust, stay focused, ask questions, surround yourself with positive people, and believe in and love yourself.