Sylvie Billings has been in the classroom more than 16 years. Her students at South Miami Senior High have done so well that, during the pandemic, district administrators asked her to create online tools for other instructors.
Though she was happy to help and proud of the work, Billings said she knew she could do even more to help educators reach students more effectively.
As someone who worked with students from disadvantaged backgrounds, Billings especially wanted to help teachers reach children who faced extra challenges at home, whether from poverty, divorce or even abuse.
"For some of our kids, school is war," said Billings, a University of Miami alum who earned her bachelor’s degree in theater and English literature in 2008. She said teaching theater has a way of encouraging students to open up, sometimes revealing difficulties they are going through at home.
"If they are coming into the classroom and their focus is on surviving, then they cannot hear or learn anything that I am teaching," she said. "This existed before the pandemic, of course, but the pandemic really shined a light on it. For me, it quickly became clear that I wanted to help other educators learn what I had learned."
Billings enrolled in UOnline’s Doctor of Education in Applied Learning Sciences program, offered through the School of Education and Human Development.
She describes the program as "a doctorate in how we think and how we learn."
"With the doctorate from UM, I really understand learning on a whole new level," said Billings, a single mom to a 4-year-old son, Logan, who is autistic. "It has enriched my life in so many ways–in the classroom, as a mother to my son, and of course, working with other teachers."
Since graduating in May, Billings has continued teaching theater and English, but she has added a new title to her resume: professional development coach.
She offered her first professional development workshop to fellow educators in October 2023 and was asked to continue this year, with a session on best practices for trauma-informed teaching, in September.
"I was saved by teachers growing up," Billings said. "They brought snacks when I needed them. We were the family that received the turkey donation at Thanksgiving. I am one of those kids. And I was able to build my life because of the opportunities I was given. I want to help kids like me."
Billings said it is important to note that trauma-informed teaching does not mean that teachers become counselors or make diagnoses.
"I have teachers who immediately ask, ‘Does this mean I have to give therapy?’ and the answer is no," Billings said. "You are not a counselor. You are a trusted, safe adult."
The goal, she explained, is to create a safe environment for students so they are able to learn.
"If they feel they are going to be loved and accepted, they can de-escalate, come out of fight or flight mode, and access that higher order thinking instead of just the survival part of the brain," she said.
Billings said she credits UOnline with giving her the flexibility to complete her research on trauma-informed teaching while caring for her son and teaching full time.
"In what universe could a single mom earn her doctorate during a pandemic while working full time?” she said. “How well does that speak of UM that I was able to do that? Life has taken me on a very unexpected journey, and I remain grounded in the awareness that I have so much to give back."
In celebration of teachers like Billings, UOnline has partnered with the Florida Panthers for a Teacher Appreciation Night on Saturday, Dec. 7. Teachers, educators and their friends and family are able to participate. Every ticket purchased includes $15 in food and beverage credit.
