Dr. Essie McKoy’s goal in life is to allow God to align her purpose with her destiny and be able to use all of her God-given gifts to make a profound difference in the lives of others. The award-winning educator, author, motivational speaker, coach, co-host has almost thirty years of experience in public and higher education. The North Carolina native has served as a teacher, assistant principal, executive director, principal, and school executive, as well as post-secondary education experience where she served as an adjunct professor at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and ITT Technical Institute.
She is well known for transforming schools and has operated school budgets of more than 3 million dollars and maximized funds to positively change every aspect of the schools she has transformed. Currently, she is employed at George Mason University, and as the President/CEO/Founder of her own educational consulting company, Dr. Essie Speaks, LLC, she continues to make an impact.
The mother of two was the first to attend college in her immediate family, has received four degrees, and is now working on her fifth and what she believes is her most important degree in Pastoral Ministry. Dr. Essie has attended many leadership programs at Harvard University, Howard University, Wake Forest University, North Carolina State University, and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Dr. Essie is the author of “The Heart of School Transformation, My Journey into Transforming Urban Schools,†as well as a contributing author of “Coaching Champions: How to Understand the Players Before Giving The Plays, a Guide to Success and Improvement,†Meet the transforming educator below.
Fancy: How would you describe your swagher? What makes Dr. Essie, Dr. Essie?
Dr. Essie: My swagher is the ability to make an impact in the field of education, to impart my knowledge of how I transformed no growth schools into high growth schools, to share my leadership skills after serving almost twenty years as an educational leader and attending some of the most prestigious leadership programs across the nation, to coach others to heighten their abilities, and to share my God-given talents so that others can reach their maximum potential. I have spent thirty years making a difference in the lives of students and educators, giving back, and helping others to extend their capacity. Now, I continue to work to leave a legacy of greatness! I share all that has been given to me through coaching others, through sharing on radio shows, in magazines, at speaking engagements and events, through writing bestselling books and inspirational messages, through assisting aspiring principals in growing their abilities, through serving as an educator at George Mason University, through hosting the “I Am Dr. Sharon Radio Show†and through my business, Dr. Essie Speaks Educational Consulting Company.
Fancy: How did you get your start in education?
Dr. Essie: I grew up desiring to be a teacher and decided to go to college to major in education. I recall watching my teachers and wanting to be like them. So, by day I went to school and absorbed all that I saw and by night played school and tried to emulate them. That was the beginning of my journey. From there, I received my undergraduate degree and became a teacher at the middle school level. That made a profound impact on my life, and I decided to go back to school to acquire additional degrees and certifications. Then, I became an administrator and desired to focus on working with at-promise students, making a difference in their lives. Thus, spending my entire career focusing on transforming the mindset of those who served at-promise students. Students who were at the disadvantage of being successful in school. I wanted to be a positive force and the change agent of putting them on their journey to success. Now, I continue that journey of making a greater impact on a national and international level!
Fancy: Did you have mentors? If so, how did you acquire them?
Dr. Essie: I did not have official mentors assigned to me but had role models and people in my life that I looked to for guidance and advice. First, my parents were my source of inspiration. They laid the foundation and helped me to create the desire of excelling beyond my capabilities. Next, I had a first cousin with whom I wanted to be like. I admired her intelligence, her lifestyle, and just everything about her! She was my role model! There were teachers, relatives, and other important people in my life that I sought assistance from and allowed them to help me along the way as well. One of the most important factors was my belief in God, a higher source of inspiration, that I allowed to guide and direct my steps. He still does that today!
Fancy: What inspired your educational consulting company, Dr. Essie Speaks, LLC?
Dr. Essie: I always knew that I wanted to explore other parts of my talents that were hidden, or I could not tap into because of my career. So, I retired from public education and was able to start my own business. I took all that I had learned in the field of education, all the knowledge I had gained, all the experience I had acquired, all the information from my leadership programs that I had learned, and all of my gifts and talents to create a business. My ultimate plan is to focus on giving back all that has been given to me and to do that in a positive manner to impact the lives of others. It has truly been an amazing journey, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to do what I do in such a grand way! This journey is just beginning, and I am open to what the future holds!
Fancy: At what point were you certain that you could venture off and be successful?
Dr. Essie: I think back over my career and find it amazing that I spent thirty years in such a noble profession where I touched the lives of educators and students on a daily basis. I stayed the course and was able to advance within the profession from teacher to principal to executive director. Also, I realize it was not necessarily about me setting out to be successful, but about me making an impact and because of the impact success was created. I just wanted to be a teacher and had no idea that my career and life would lead to me to where I am today. Most importantly, I always yield to God for direction and guidance about my career. When I submit to His will and His way, I know I cannot go wrong and will be able to prosper because of His predestined calling on my life.
Fancy: So how would you describe your ideal client?
Dr. Essie: My ideal client is an individual who wants to grow and learn. They truly want to invest in themselves, gain knowledge, and explore their untapped potential. They want me to share my experiences, insights, and perspectives with them about how to better their skills and abilities. Also, they want to be inspired, learn some golden nuggets, try new strategies and techniques, and just learn how to be the best professional they can in order to make an impact in the lives of students. They strive for excellence, achievement, and above all allow the love of their craft to serve mankind!
Fancy: Can you share a little about your book “The Heart of School Transformation: My Journey into Transforming Urban School�
Dr: Essie: “The Heart of School Transformation,” is about the journey in the field of education. I give effective strategies on how to transform schools to become Signature Schools. I share about my humble upbringing and how this led to my life’s calling of serving students who may not have tangible hope and spoken dreams. In addition, this masterful book is designed to provide school leaders, educators, and district office personnel with tools and techniques to better equip them in preparing to turnaround challenging schools. Even those in higher education can use these research-based strategies to incorporate into their education programs to better prepare those entering the field of education. It is a book that will inspire and motivate not only educators and school leaders, but students, parents, local, state, and national leaders, and anyone willing to assist in the process of school transformation!
Fancy: I saw a headline recently about more teachers leaving the classroom. What are your thoughts on the matter?
Dr. Essie: Yes, it is true that educators are leaving the classroom at such an alarming rate. I believe it has a lot to do with all the mandates, the accountability, the multitudes of responsibilities, the lack of respect, resources, and pay in the profession, along with other factors that impact educators in a negative way. It takes a lot to be a highly effective educator. To meet the needs of the whole child, including not only academic, but also physical, psychological, social, emotional, and environmental needs.
Some schools and districts are more challenging than others. The more the challenges, the more demands are put on teachers! Thus, making it an undesirable situation for teachers to commit and stay in the profession. They tend to seek other professions that may be less demanding. Therefore, leaving the field of education and adding to the education crisis! There are so many different initiatives just trying to get people to go into the field of education, and we must start addressing some of the main issues to secure and keep some of the best and brightest in the field!
Fancy: Do you have any advice for those considering a career in education?
Dr. Essie: The field of education is a very noble profession. It is HARD work, but it is also HEART work! Search your heart and allow your desire to be that of making an impact! Decide on what areas of education you want to go in to make a difference and build from that point forward. Look at every opportunity to serve students as a blessing. Be willing to extend yourself beyond what you think is humanly possible. Meet the child’s basic needs by ensuring that the emotional, social, psychological, environment, and physiological components are met. Then, their academic needs can be met. As an educator be willing to do what is necessary to make sure that students are successful. Continue to grow and evolve into the educator that you aspire to become. Serve from the heart and it will be such a rewarding career!
Fancy: Do you have any other upcoming events or projects that you care to share?
Dr. Essie: Currently, I have several co-authoring projects that are in the works. One is, “The Grylfriend Code Sorority Edition”. This project will allow me to share around the country as we begin our book tour. Also, the release of “Coaching Champions: How to understand the players before giving the plays: A Guide to Improvement and Success,†was recently released and became a best seller. So, promoting this book as people want to gain more knowledge about how to effectively coach others! In addition, I am working on The HBCU Experience Project, another book.
As I continue my journey, I will write even more books in the future, share at speaking engagements, on radio shows, magazines, events, and perhaps be a visionary author with some of the projects. I continue to host “The I Am Dr. Sharon Show, “and I am truly elated to be a part of a new national program, “Next in Line to Lead, Aspiring Principal Leadership Academy,†to grow assistant principals who are desiring to become principals. My work at George Mason University will continue as I work with coaching educators and expanding my business, Dr. Essie Speaks Educational Consulting, as I elevated the vision and the impact of what I do!
Connect with Dr. Essie below.
Website: www.dressiespeaks.com
FB: Author DrEssie Mckoy
IG:emckoy2018
LinkedIn: Dr. Essie Mckoy
Twitter: @emckoy
Hey Papi Promotions: Dr. Essie McKoy
