Dom’s Authenticity: A leap of faith that led her to Memphis

Dom Ferrell, Class of 2021

Meet Dom Ferrell,
Class of 2021

Dom found herself on an unexpected journey shaped by trusting the Lord and her commitment to authenticity. As she reflects on her time with Memphis Teacher Residency (MTR), Dom shares about her resilience and spiritual growth.

While still in college, through a dream, Dom felt God was calling her to teach and learn through education in Memphis. Through prayer and talking to some MTR staffers, Dom decided to jump in feet first. Her journey in Memphis began in 2020 when she bravely moved from Georgia with a background in entertainment and media studies. At that time, little did she know that God had a unique plan for her in Memphis.

As a teacher at Compass Binghampton for the past few years, Dom is now a mentor teacher to resident Macy Earley (Class of 2024). Serving as a mentor, she has found joy in “serving a servant — it’s like I get to wash her feet as I watch her washing others and changing lives.” She beams as she shares how this experience for her has been a journey of self-reflection woven into personal and professional growth.

Authenticity became a theme of Dom's experience in Memphis. She discovered a community here that embraced people for who they are — as seen in Memphians and her students alike. She had never seen anything like it before moving to Memphis. In this environment, Dom has felt empowered to be herself and now encourages her students to do the same.

Reflecting on her proudest moments, Dom highlights her students' resilience inside and outside the classroom. Imagine that - her proudest moments are of her students being amazing!

She gets emotional, reflecting on being able to witness their support for each other. It’s how she hoped and dreamed her classroom would feel. She accomplished her goal: creating a safe space where authenticity is celebrated and acceptance is abundant. Dom's training and commitment to seeing people for who they are reaffirmed her belief in the power of connection.

Dom (2021) and her MTR Resident Macy Earley (2024)

As Dom approaches the end of her four-year commitment with MTR, she marvels at the wild journey it has been. Her focus remains steadfast on her students. She sees how she has been able to shift her grades-based view of success to a much more human definition of success.

“Knowing the Lord is here regardless of data or academics or behavior…I’ve grown spiritually and I have shifted my focus in ways that allow me to view success in a healthier light.”

Dom's unique mission as a teacher with a Christ-centered focus redefined success for her, allowing her to be more focused on being an authentic and positive presence in her students' lives. It means the world to her that she gets to have a different type of mission. Jesus is her teacher, and in some capacity, she gets to be that teacher for her kids.

Through it all, Dom recognizes MTR's enduring excitement about their mission and how that has sustained her. Dom feels it is invaluable to work with an organization that stays true to its beliefs and works nonstop to bring in more and more passionate educators every year to Memphis. She is honored to be a part of Christian love expressed in equal education.

Celebrate fifteen years of impact by keeping it going!
Join The Principal’s List and be a part of MTR’s loyal group of monthly donors.