Meet Nellie James

“Every setback was a setup for my comeback. I’m not just chasing a dream—I’m building a legacy.”

I’m the oldest of four and have dreamed of teaching since childhood. I used to run a pretend school for my siblings, with books as my escape and inspiration. Growing up with a single mom working nights, I took on adult responsibilities early. School became my haven.

At 16, I became a single mother. To receive government assistance, I began volunteering at a daycare center. When I started working at the daycare, that moment marked the beginning of my journey in early childhood education. I earned my associate degree in 2011 from CGTC, then paused to raise/ take care of my family.

Years later, with four children and a dream of teaching in public schools, I enrolled at Mercer University. I worked by day and studied by night, but when my partner became an alcoholic, I was left to manage everything alone. The stress impacted my health and grades, and I lost financial aid.

In 2015, the Putnam County School System reignited my passion with a job offer. I prayed for another chance—and got it. Ten years later in 2025 I’m attending Gordon State College, determined to finish what I started. During my third semester at Gordon life threw another challenge: my daughter lost her day shift job and took a night shift, leaving me to care for her toddler with special needs. This sudden change in family dynamics placed a significant and unforeseen strain on my ability to focus on coursework. While I did my best to balance caregiving and academics, the emotional and physical demands made it difficult to maintain the level of academic performance I am capable of. I lost aid again and now pay out of pocket, taking one class at a time to rebuild my GPA.

Despite it all, I’ve stayed committed:

• I’ve created a study schedule.
• I’ve leaned on advisors for support.
• I’ve built a plan to raise my GPA and graduate.
  
  

Georgia’s Teaching Apprenticeship Program is the lifeline I’ve been praying for. It offers hands-on classroom experience, mentorship from experienced educators, and financial support that eases the burden of tuition. With a clear path to certification and flexible scheduling. The Apprenticeship Program isn’t just helping me finish my degree—it’s empowering me to become the teacher I’ve always dreamed of being and to build a legacy through education.