My name is Veronica Chambers. I am a lead instructor at Bridges Memphis youth organization.

I was fortunate enough to receive a scholarship and attend the school that shaped me into the person I am today. As a businesswoman, I cannot stress enough how much of an impact a teacher can have in a young person’s life. Knowing that, I try my best to influence the youth as much as the program has for me.

There is no doubt that the children are our future. This means that we should be sewing into these children everything that they individually need to be successful, comfortable, and progressive in order to lead generations to come. Financial status should determine whether or not that is possible.

All my life I’ve been really hyper and active. In public school, I would be placed in the library with all of my classwork for the day and told not to interact with my peers because I was a “distraction”. This broke me down and made me think I was abnormal. My mom realized early on that it wasn’t me, it was the school. She took me out and placed me in a charter school here in Memphis and it was the best thing that ever happened to me. All of the classwork and activities were catered to my learning style and ability.

“I am forever grateful for school choice, the option to choose and more importantly be chosen.”

The teachers were patient and gentle and they really fit me. I felt as if I was accepted. This truly helped shape me as a human being and I try to implement that patience in my everyday life working with kids in my career. I am forever grateful for school choice, the option to choose and more importantly be chosen.