Sherry E. Philips

Sherry E. Philips is recognized by Continental Who’s Who as a Pinnacle Professional as a result of 35 Years of Excellence as an Educator. Sherry is the Owner, Director, and Instructor of Miss Sherry’s Studies and Enrichment. In her current roles, Sherry is responsible for Private Instruction, Enrichment, Tutoring, Home Schooling, Distance Learning, and Special Needs Instruction .She teaches all basic subjects, ACT, SAT, GED, GRE, art, and writing.  Education, teaching and my students are and have always been a large part of my life.  My credentials may look impressive to some, but they are only valuable if and when that knowledge is shared in a truly caring manner with honest commitment. I continue to be indebted to all those who have shared their lives and learning with me. Students teach me, as I teach them. Their questions and different learning styles require me to look for new ways of presenting information and gaining more education in specific areas. 

My biggest challenge is helping students, and their parents, realize the value of learning. 

The negativity facing our children in this country is a product of stress and depression and material- ism.  My purpose is to build on what abilities are already in place and then expand to maximum performance.  This is not on the level of making the “A” or “B” honor roll; instead, it is the honesty of doing one’s best and giving oneself the “A” or “B” for effort.  Encouragement to set goals is always part of the curriculum along with a number of ways to reach these goals.  Lack of time management, organizational  skills,  and  study  habits  are  most always  among  the  difficulties  I  must  help  the  student tackle.” 

Prior  to  creating  Miss  Sherry’s  Studies  and Enrichment, Sherry taught for Wylie ISD where she directed the English and art departments, created that art department and curriculum, developed a crafts class for the local nursing home, taught adult education in the evenings, and created curriculum, design, and crafted decorations for a childcare center Sherry is a member of the National Association of Female Executives, as well as the American Association   of University   Women.  She  earned  an  all-level teaching degree and graduated summa cum laude from East Texas A&M University. 

Often recognized as a  “renaissance  woman,” Sherry is now hoping to publish and illustrate her writing.  Her   portfolio  includes  fictional  history,  poetry, short stories, free verse and small novels. Topics range from the paranormal and spiritual to self-realization and children’s books.  

CWW Interview with educator Sherry Philips

Q: What is your profession?

A:  Teacher and Facilitator of Knowledge.

Q: How did your journey start? Tell us about it.

A:  As a little girl from West Texas, I grew up where they only have sand dunes and one tree. I am a cat lover, and I would take my cats, teaching them as if they where my first students. I liked teaching dolls but I never liked to dress them  or play with them. When I was in Elementary School, my teachers used me as a helper. I would take papers home to grade them. One summer in high school I taught art lessons in pre kindergartner head start programs. When I attended college I was known as “Ms. Questioner.” I would question teachers on whatever lessons where being taught and they would say,” just be quiet.” I taught myself, being that no one wanted to teach me. I was self taught- asking questions is how I felt I would get the best education. During my time Student Teaching I found it thrilling. I always arrived early and teachers would come to watch me teach. I considered my students my family. They would always knock on my door or just walk in and give me a big greeting. Sometimes they would give me either an apple or flowers. I am teaching 3rd generation children at this time which means children’s, children’s children.

Q: When did you realize this is what you wanted to do?

A:  I knew I was meant to do this from the time I was at my sister’s house and I went into the back yard and asked myself, “What am I seeing?” It was a vision of an elderly women sitting Indian style with a long dress. She was just as real as if she was with you and she was sitting in a circle, legs crossed, long black hair, teaching children. She was just teaching them, not with books, just teaching them life! She was to bring lots of children into her home, a 109 year old home owned by a dear friend. The children feel the spirits; the house is gentle where she lives.

Q: Did you ever think of venturing into a different career?

A:  Yes.

Q: If so, what?

A:  Veterinarian Medicine.

Q: What are some of your accomplishments?

A:  The success of my students when they reach their journey. I was a Valedictorian in school. I wanted to learn everything possible.

Q: Who is your favorite author?

A:  Kate Chopin, she speaks to me! Not as much in the book The Awakening but in the book Desiree Baby. A baby girl is left at her door and the baby gets darker. Her husband tells her that this has to be you the black color is from your side. He sends her away, and the mother takes the baby into the woods where she gets lost and vanishes. The husband decides to go through all of her stuff. He finds a jar with a letter in it from his father saying, “I hope our son will never have to know that our son was the one who bought the black into  the family.” The moral of the story: Don’t be judgmental.

Q:  What advice would you give to someone who wants to go into your profession?

A:  You never need to look at it as if it was a job, it’s a calling, and it’s not a job. First of all, you have to appreciate what you do. The children needed more, and it was my job to try to give it. My job is to help give them back their self esteem. If you don’t love it, don’t do it. If teaching is a job then don’t do it!

Q: Can you share a witty story about yourself?

A:  I still have some students, that are juniors this year and a few years ago the boys decided not to listen just to see what I would do. I went to get a magazine and the boys continued to do what they wanted to do. I continued flipping through the magazine and they looked at me, and realized that they had occupied my time. I was playing along with the boys being that they didn’t want me to read, and they didn’t want to do what I was doing. When the boys expressed their concern, I had those boys do their dictation, and the boys wrote exactly what I said. I said to them that their actions were like poop in a pickle jar. I am scared of snakes and Little Freddy put one on my desk and I played along acting as if I liked it, but I really hate snakes. After a while I asked him with no fear to put it under his toboggan. I love animals and the children went on to tell me how they had gone deer hunting. The boys expressed how they strapped a deer to the steering wheel as if it was driving.  The kids told me that they went hunting and I didn’t want to hear about it. I was upset with the students and made them write a five page essay on why it was not appropriate, and to be kind to animals. The children asked, “what if we don’t do it?” and I replied, “you don’t have a choice.” The boys dad called me and I explained to the father the reason why and if the boys don’t  know what to write in the paper  that you better get in there and help them. If they don’t write it, it would mean I didn’t stand up to what I believe in and then I would fail as an educator. The children wrote the paper, and I still have them in my file. If children don’t try hard enough or not at all it is a form of bulling and will lead to bullying.

Q: Who are some of your mentors?

A:  Dr. Paul Barrus in college addressed me as “Ms. Sherry.” He was very tall, stately in a three piece suit and he would put his glasses down and say, “ Ms. Sherry.” The girls in class were jealous when he left the line and came over to me and he said “Ms. Sherry.” When I couldn’t do his work, I wrote him a personal note because I couldn’t do his assignment on “Black Like Me.” On the day the paper was to be handed in he took the paper out of my hand blank and showed the class. He gave me an A+ for being it was the most honest student he had ever had and I wanted to be just like him. Maxine Carpenter was one of my best friends. She owned the 109 year old house and she  wrote a book on our relationship as friends. I am illustrating the book.