Brenda Combs
| Brenda Combs | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1961/1962 (age 63–64) Flagstaff, Arizona, U.S. |
| 💼 Occupation | Teacher and motivational speaker |
| Notable work | Finding My Shoes |
Brenda Combs (born 1961/1962)[1] is an American teacher and motivational speaker.[2] As of 2009, she was the Ambassador of Inspiration & Achievement at the Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona.[3] She was previously an elementary educator at the StarShine Academy, a charter school in Phoenix, Arizona.[1] Combs went from being homeless to becoming a respected teacher, and published Finding My Shoes, an autobiography about the experience, in 2014.
Life and education
Combs grew up in Flagstaff, Arizona with two siblings. Her father was a baker and a janitor, and her mother worked part-time as a cook. Combs says she began using drugs, including marijuana and cocaine, shortly after dropping out of college. She was arrested and went to rehab while still in Flagstaff. By 1992 she moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where she was homeless. Eventually, she turned herself in to police on a parole violation, and entered a rehab program.[1]
After getting sober, Combs earned a bachelor's and master's degree.[1] In 2012, she earned a Doctor of Education from Grand Canyon University.[4]
Career
Combs became an elementary school teacher at StarShine Academy, a charter school in Phoenix, Arizona.[1] She also taught choir and online classes for Grand Canyon University,[1] and was named their Ambassador of Inspiration & Achievement.[3]
Combs was listed in "Who's Who Among America's Teachers" in 2007.[5] In 2008, she was honored by the Phoenix Mercury WNBA team with their Inspiring Woman of the Year Award.[6]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Celizic, Mike (November 2, 2007). "Former addict lifts herself up, becomes a teacher". Today. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
- ↑ Sheridan, Patricia (September 18, 2017). "16th annual Women's Leadership Council Breakfast". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Carroll, Doug (December 16, 2009). ""Finding My Shoes" Outreach Helps Phoenix Homeless". Grand Canyon University. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
- ↑ "Evening and Online EdD in Organizational Leadership". Grand Canyon University. October 3, 2019. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
- ↑ Watkiss, Mike (February 23, 2007). "Homeless to Hero". KTVK. Archived from the original on November 6, 2007. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Koek, Steven J. (September 6, 2008). "Inspiring Women Night during Mercury win". WNBA. Archived from the original on October 12, 2008. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help)
External links
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