We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Errica Dotson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Errica, appreciate you joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in, and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

As a first-generation college student, I left home to attend Howard University – more than 2500 miles away. While it was scary and at times overwhelming, the experience opened many doors for me. Initially, I wanted to be a lawyer, but put that dream on hold and decided to pursue a path in education, one that I have never regretted. It was my hunger and a drive to be a catalyst for change in public schools that brought me to Houston to become a teacher with no formal training. While my path has not been an easy one, I have found my true calling in the classroom and my work hinges on finding inroads for creating education equity. Without taking risks at every turn, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Yes, my name is Errica Dotson, and I currently serve as the acting executive director of Writers in the Schools (WITS). WITS is a Houston-area nonprofit that strives to unlock the joy of reading and writing for youth. We work collaboratively with Houston area schools, community organizations, and hospitals to help young people gain the skills and confidence to share their stories, experiences, and ideas with the world.

I started my career in Los Angeles nearly 20 years ago as a Teach For America Corps member, teaching 6th grade English as a Second Language. From there, I served as an instructional leader, assistant principal, and school support manager for Houston Independent School District, the largest school district in Texas and the 8th largest in Texas. Additionally, I spent time at the Harris County Department of Education as the teaching and learning manager.

Throughout my education career, I’ve been dedicated to creating innovative learning experiences and encouraging students to unlock their own passion and creativity.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Growing an organization or nonprofit requires learning from others and simply observing. It is critical to identify the right people for your team to nurture their growth so they are empowered to learn and succeed.

Sometimes we are handcuffed by our expectations or fear of what others may think when we are powerful in our own right. Showing up daily ready to offer encouragement and uplift others will help you flourish as an individual and help your organization reach its fullest potential.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Growing up, my mother provided an excellent example of resilience that I have carried throughout my life experiences.

My mother was the product of the Los Angeles Unified School District in the 1960s and 1970s. When she entered the workforce, she realized they didn’t have the tools necessary to succeed in a career. So, she told herself she would do whatever she had to ensure her children received the best education possible. And that’s what she did.

I also overcame several challenges when I started my educational journey to get where I am today. My initial years of teaching were admittedly hard, and I was grateful for the support I received from Teach For America. I quickly learned you must be driven by passion, a deep connection to your purpose, and an understanding that children need more than someone who stands in front of the classroom teaching concepts.

Another example of resiliency was when I was part of a turnaround team at Dogan Elementary in HISD. I was bound and determined to turn their situations around. Working with my principal, we collaboratively got these students caught up and in a much better place academically.

Pursuing a career in education requires daily resiliency, primarily when working in low-income schools. But if you have the drive and the passion for helping kids, you can overcome almost anything that comes your way.

Contact Info:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erricadotson/
• Other: [email protected]