25 Women for 2024: Gwen Thomas finds her calling in the classroom
Classroom veteran and distinguished educator Gwendolyn Thomas never even planned to be a teacher. “I wanted to be a physical therapist,” she said. But life had other plans, and after earning a teaching degree, while waiting to study Physical Therapy, she found herself pulled to the classroom and never left.
Her willingness to take on a challenge and put the interests of others before her own has led to a rewarding career and recognition as one of Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know for 2024.
Her expertise comes with experience — after earning a Bachelor of Science from Florida A&M University, and later a Master of Education degree, she began her career as an after-school coordinator. Thomas moved up the ranks in public education from substitute teacher to paraprofessional, and ultimately a contracted teaching position at Griffin Middle School, where she once began elementary school as a first-grade student.
“This is my calling,” she says. “God has graced me to overcome obstacles from my youth. My journey to growing in character has given me a passion to see others overcome what they may view as insurmountable odds and limitations.”
While in the classroom, Thomas received numerous awards such as the Glenn-Howell Distinguished Minority Educator of the Year - District Finalist, Campus Teacher of the Year, and Health Teacher of The Year for the State of Florida.
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“I want to inspire people to discover untapped opportunities so they can realize a pathway to a better life, look beyond their current condition and open their minds to a different outlook where they are empowered to create a vision, and find a journey that fits,” Thomas said.
Her hard work led from one leadership position to the next, culminating in a 13-year role as principal at Griffin Middle School, back where it all started.
A mere six months before her retirement, she was asked to take on the role of interim principal of John G. Riley Elementary School. “I thought, what can I do in six months?” she says. Her reputation proved correct, and under her leadership, the underperforming Title 1 school saw a two-grade increase in its success rating.
“I believe in possibilities,” she said. “I watched my mother work double shifts (16-hour days) to provide for her family. She did not accept excuses; she prayed and discovered a way when there seemed to be no way. She also taught me that life happens and when it happens to me, don’t be shocked! I’m not the first person to experience life and I won’t be the last person. With these and other lessons, my mother taught me to be resilient, to walk by faith, and to be diligent with a spirit of excellence.”
Thomas calls both Tallahassee and Greenville home, and took an active role in recovery efforts after the devastating impact of Hurricane Idalia in Madison County last year.
When organizing food distribution with Second Harvest of the Big Bend, Thomas offered encouragement, prayer, and assurance to the residents that help is here and that they have not been forgotten. “I enjoy sharing the gospel of the good news. I choose to show charity at home, first. I love people and I love being a change agent in one life at a time,” Thomas said.
Her volunteerism extends from her role as an Elder at New Hope New Faith Ministries, Inc. to providing a helping hand to the Tallahassee Chapter of the 100 Black Men, and serving as a Christian and Educational conference speaker. She enjoys tending to her plants and exploring retirement with her husband, Leonard. “We have a beautifully blended family of 7 children and 18 grandchildren,” she said.
Thomas is founder and CEO of The Joy of Light, LLC – Pathway to a Better Life, which focuses on motivation, inspiration and life-skills development. She has authored and published, "The Journey Devotional and Calendar, 2022." Gwen continues to develop her educator’s passion as an adjunct professor at Tallahassee Community College.
To Thomas, her mission and purpose are simple, and she encourages us to join her. “As I matured in life, there was always someone who saw purpose in me and chose to help me see greater possibilities. Because of the power of their influence in my life, I am compelled to give back. I want to make a difference for people!”
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: 25 Women for 2024: Gwen Thomas seeks to 'inspire people'
