She may be only 18, but Aubrey Gray knows what she wants – to teach – and she knows how to get there.
In fact, as vice president of the statewide Educators Rising organization, she’s already got a head start.
1 of 3
2 of 3
3 of 3
Multiple factors have guided the decision of the Pickerington High School Central senior, several connected to her deep involvement at her school. These efforts include three years in Chorale, an elite choir; two years as the leader of Lighthouse Christian club; co-founder of Chain Reaction, a silent service club promoting random acts of kindness; the principal’s academic advisory committee; National Honor Society; and three years in Sunnyside Up, a teacher-nominated leadership program.
Through it all, Gray’s passion and drive have always been education.
“I want to teach high school English,” she says. “I love reading and writing. I blog, I journal; I have so many journals. I think that love of reading and writing pours into my schoolwork. I think I could teach it really well.”
Her goal is to attain both a teaching certification for grades 7-12 and a reading endorsement.
“I could specialize and really help students who have trouble,” says Gray. “I want to work with kids who struggle and have issues reading.”
She hopes to attend Capital University in the fall.
“I’m just waiting on my acceptance letter,” says Gray. “I love the small campus atmosphere, and Bexley is an amazing small town.”
Gray has worked hard to turn her dreams into reality. She first became involved with
Educators Rising, a network of students and teacher-leaders committed to improving education, through Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical Schools. Now, as vice president, she works with local and national chapters to promote the organization’s values and lead service projects.
The highlight of her experience as VP? Hearing First Lady Michelle Obama speak at the White House this past summer.
“Besides my mother, she’s my main role model,” Gray says.
Gray credits her family for teaching her compassion. Her father, Arthur, is a pastor at Linden Life Fellowship in Columbus, and her mother, Leigh Ann, serves with the church. Her older brothers, Taelor and Chris, are a pastor and recording artist, respectively.
“My dad is a really compassionate person who knows how to see other people’s pain and tries to help. Being a part of the church has really influenced that in me,” she says. “My family is a really tight-knit crew. I wouldn’t be where I am today if they weren’t there for me.”
About her mom, Gray adds, “She’s a rock star.”
In a roundabout way, her family also inspired her interest in education. Growing up, her father had his own choir, and her brothers formed a rap group. Education seemed like the perfect way for Aubrey to break away from the family mold while doing something meaningful.
“I come from a very musical family,” she says. “I wanted to do something normal because everyone was doing extravagant things.”
So when someone had to work with kids at the church, Gray volunteered.
“I fell in love with being with the kids,” she says. “The more time I spent with them I realized this is where I need to be.”
Gray hopes to work with students from the inner city, especially students of color, she says.
“They don’t have a lot of people standing in front of them who look like them,” she says. “A lot of those kids have a lot of needs. I used to hate hearing how much they hate school and how their teachers don’t understand. Those are the kids I have a heart for. I want to help them reach their potential.”
Jaya Pillai is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
RELATED READS
-Westerville student’s work with charity
-Columbus authors’ literacy efforts
-Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fairfield County
