assemblies to share with students about her journey to becoming a successful author .
“ Returning to Sunnyside to speak felt like coming full circle – coming back to share new lessons that I ’ ve learned since graduating , in a space that previously taught me so much ,” Brown-Wood said . “ It was exciting and challenging – but so fulfilling to tell the students , ‘ I was sitting right there in your seats , not that long ago ,’ and to remind them that they , too , can reach their dreams .”
Brown-Wood said she was inspired by several Fresno Unified teachers when she was growing up , including her third / fourth grade teacher at Aynesworth , Stephen Barnett . She remembered working for hours on a story assignment in his class .
“ He stayed after school to allow me time to finish it . Like , way after school . This showed me that he really believed in my work and was willing to go the extra mile to support me ,” Brown-Wood said . hole .’ He gave each of us a washer and told us by using kindness — even just a simple ‘ hello ’ to someone new — we never know if we are helping someone who really needed it , helping to fill a void they may be experiencing that makes them feel alone .”
She still keeps the washer on her key ring .
What advice would Brown-Wood give students about achieving their dreams ?
“ I would tell students that they are going to meet challenges along the way to their dreams . They are going to experience moments where they doubt themselves and their abilities . But don ’ t let that stop you ,” Brown-Wood said . “ Use each of those challenging moments as opportunities to learn and grow and improve and keep pushing . Decide what you want to attain , set small goals to move toward that , and keep on pushing .”
Two mentors stand out the most , she said : Michele Anderson , Brown-Wood ’ s basketball coach at Sunnyside who is now principal there , and Tim Liles , who passed away in 2020 while he was Sunnyside ’ s principal .
About Anderson , she said : “ She was someone who pushed me to work hard , despite challenges that would come my way . She often offered guidance and life lessons on the basketball court and those lessons were invaluable .”
About Liles , her leadership teacher at Sunnyside , she said : “ One of the lessons he taught us was to ‘ plug the
Left : JaNay Brown-Wood returned to her alma mater , Sunnyside High School , in October to talk with students about her road to becoming a successful children ’ s book author .
Above : JaNay Brown-Wood , left , meets up with a former teacher from Aynesworth Elementary School , Paula Welch , during a book signing event . When Brown-Wood was in sixth grade , Welch predicted she would be a best-selling author .
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