Tammy Edmonson

Long-time TTUISD teacher shares how her position in a brick-and-mortar school district has affected her outlook on online education.

by Lucy Worley

April 17, 2017

Tammy Edmonson has made a mark on the world of education in Lubbock, Texas. But her reach goes beyond the Lubbock area due to her role with Texas Tech University Independent School District (TTUISD).

Edmonson currently serves as the Director of Counseling and College

Career Readiness for Lubbock Independent School District, in addition to teaching a physical education foundations course for TTUISD.

As an educator who spends much of her time in face-to-face interactions with students, Edmonson explained why she values teaching online courses.

“Something I appreciate about TTUISD is that it serves students in unique situations. The curriculum brings together many blended learning styles for students. A strong online course incorporates videos to watch, activities for students to go out and take part in and other elements. There is actually so much more variety, so students become increasingly engaged with the material,” she said.

This desire to engage with students beyond a purely academic level is what drove Edmonson to where she is today.

“I grew up in Lubbock and attended Texas Tech University. After graduating I did a little teaching at both the elementary and junior high level, but after a few short years I knew I was still looking for more. I've always had a desire to work with students, and I realized what interested me the most was building relationships with students, even more so than the curriculum itself.”

With this realization in mind, Edmonson went back to pursue a master's degree in counseling from Texas Tech. “I felt this would give me a strong comprehensive background for school counseling,” she said.

After receiving her master's degree, Edmonson became a school counselor at the middle school level for six years. Following this, she worked for 12 years as a high school counselor at the very same school she herself had graduated from.

Even though Edmonson's leadership has excelled in the brick-and-mortar environment, she is also passionate about online learning and the benefits it can bring students.

“As someone who has been a high school counselor for a long time, I am familiar with the student who has procrastinated until the last minute, the student who was so busy with extra-curricular activities that they now have to squeeze in a core class to graduate on time. And I especially recognize the need for some students to work at a faster pace than what a traditional school allows, and in turn, those who need more time,” Edmonson stated.

Each of these situations represents a type of student that TTUISD exists to serve. Due to Edmonson's professional experience, she understands these situations better than most.

“I really resonate with where many of these students are coming from and I enjoy working with TTUISD students as they are very driven and voice what they need very well.”

Edmonson looks forward to continuing a strong program through LISD, preparing students for college-level learning and admission, but she voiced equal excitement for her future with TTUISD as well.

“I believe online learning is going to continue to grow at a fast pace,” Edmonson said. “We live in a very global and mobile society. Parents and students are open to online learning not only because of their busy lifestyles, but because they are recognizing that many students really learn better in this type of setting. TTUISD empowers students to work at their own pace and in many cases this removes the stigma and embarrassment for some students who just need more review. In turn, you get more students who are confident in their knowledge and skills.”

It is clear that Edmonson not only enjoys seeing students grasp concepts and excel academically, but she truly sees education as a calling.

“When I look back on my school experience growing up, I had teachers at all levels that made such an impact on me and helped shape who I became over time. Then as I started working, I've had many mentors along the way who have influenced me greatly. There are many people I would thank for challenging me to be the very best I can be.”

Her advice to other educators?

“You never know the impact you have on a student, or it may be years later that you find out. What we say and do makes a significant difference. There are so many students out there who need support and encouragement. This line of work involves long hours and extremely hard work, so I have a great respect for the dedication and service of my fellow educators.”