Meet Tamara V. Albury

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamara V. Albury.

Tamara, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am the product of a single parent family. Though they were both educated, my mom was disabled homemaker, whose only goal was to ensure that I would not end up in foster care. I grew up in inner city America, where statistics like to determine destinies. But all in all, by watching the drive of my mom and through the support of my family I defied the odds and became not only a high school graduate, but a college graduate, as well. Following college, armed with a Sociology degree, my only desire was to impact society and humanity.

We have to level the playing field from the Mississippi Delta to Wall Street to end racism and oppression. These words spoken by Jesse Jackson are what propelled me into education. Having participated in two-term abroad programs to East Africa and Brazil, I had the opportunity to truly see oppression and poverty at its most abject and I gained a desire to be impactful in my own country. Armed with two suitcases and a plane ticket, a greyhound bus ticket and a passion for children, I left upstate New York headed for Tunica, Mississippi.

For the next three years, I began my career in the one of the poorest counties in the country, where segregation in schools and community was live and well. Following earning my graduate degree at Ole Miss, I moved to the DFW on the urging of a friend. For the past almost two decades since my arrival, I have progressed through my career from teacher to instructional specialist to administrator each time making sure that my goal is to do what is best for children. I continually keep my impact focused on ensuring that all children that I encounter have every advantage and opportunity that is available to them, irrespective of socioeconomic status, race or ethnicity.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has been very challenging. For more than half my life, I have lived half a country away from my family. My family is relatively close and the isolation has forced me to create a family of friends.  Four years ago, my mother passed and being an only child it has been very difficult. Everything I do is to make my mom proud. I work hard to be someone that she is proud of even from heaven.

Professionally, I have been blessed to work in a district that provides many development opportunities. I have always sought ways to be marketable and maximize my talents. Through that cultivation from teacher to administrator, I have grown in my practice, philosophy and impact.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Young Women’s Leadership Academy – Fort Worth Independent School District – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am in my third year as principal of an all-girls college prep public school. We are in our eight years with three graduating classes. We boast of 100% high school graduation and 100% acceptance into 4-year post-secondary institutions. We have been acknowledged US News and World Report as a Top 100 high school in Texas and Top 4% of high schools in the country. In 2016, we received the National Blue Ribbon Award by the US Department of Education. We are a secondary school who exposes students to careers and opportunities in the STEM field. Our school centers around three pillars: Responsible Leadership, Health and Wellness, and College Readiness. Our school exists through a public/ private partnership through Fort Worth ISD, the Young Women’s Preparatory Network and the Foundation for the Young Women’s Leadership Academy. Through our private partnerships, our students have opportunities, which would not otherwise exist in the public school arena.

We have the unique opportunity through a seven year program, to maximize the potential of all young leaders who walk through our door. Irrespective of race, socioeconomic status or other demographic data our students are provided with the training and environment to the leaders of tomorrow.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We are gearing up for our 2019 Signing Day on May 23 at the Fort Worth Convention Center, where our seniors will share their college decisions with their families and the community.This will be our 4th graduating class and thanks to the Foundation of the Young Women’s Academy, we have partnered with the Dallas Mavericks Organization to make it the best yet.

Also, please stay tuned…In 2020, we will be celebrating our 10th Anniversary and we hope to have a year of celebratory events aimed at celebrating our Founders, Lee and Sally Posey, our students, our faculty and our community.

Contact Info:

• Address: 401 E. 8th Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76104
• Website: https://www.fwisd.org/YWLA
• Phone: 8178152400
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YWLAFWISD/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ywlafw?lang=en

Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.