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Dr. Tammy Bird, the director of Adult Basic Education at the College, dropped out of high school in the 10th-grade, but wound up being a first-generation college graduate, earning her master's degree in literature and her doctorate degree in adult and community college education. Now that Bird has accomplished her goals, she is helping Durham Tech students achieve theirs.
“I dropped out in 10th grade and began waiting tables to take care of myself and my children,” Bird said.
“One customer, an instructor at a local community college, took an interest in me. It was her caring and generosity that helped me see I could do more than just survive.”
The instructor paid $30 dollars for Bird to get her GED, helped her complete the required paperwork for a Pell Grant and outfitted her with school supplies. Bird earned her GED, and the employee broached the idea of her getting an associate degree. Bird, seeing a better future, took up the challenge.
“I saw the associate degree as a way to make more money and to get a better job,” Bird said. “I was not thinking of school beyond an associate degree. I just wanted a better job.”
Bird decided on an associate degree in education and worked in a class of 4-year-olds as part of the degree requirements.
“I remember vividly one little boy in that classroom who would race up to me, untie my shoe and then run off -- over and over again. I went back to my mentor and told her I didn't mind the little ones, but I didn't want to work with them every day,” Bird said. “Her recommendation was a bachelor's degree and a road to working with adults."
After finishing her associate degree, Bird entered Old Dominion University where she earned her bachelor’s in English with a minor in women's studies and her master's in literature.
“I began adjunct teaching while at ODU, and never looked back,” Bird said. “And when distance education began, I found a new way to engage students. I was even part of the very first Blackboard pilot back in the day.”
Bird taught Blackboard to teachers on 11 campuses and went on to have her hands in many platforms such as E-College, Moodle and Canvas.
She went on to teach at several colleges between her time at ODU and her arrival at Durham Tech. Along the way, Bird received her doctorate in adult and community college education.
Dr. Tammy Bird took time off during the pandemic until she started working full time at Durham Tech in 2023.
“I stayed home to help my grandchildren continue to be successful in school and then to be with my wife as she began treatment for stage four ovarian cancer. When all the grandkids were back in school and my wife went into remission, I decided to return to full-time work,” Bird said.
Durham Tech was the only place she applied.
“I have found a place where my skills are valued, and I am happy this place is a community college,” Bird said. “I wanted to give back to a system, the community college system, that had given much to me. I wanted to work with community college students, especially those with challenges like I faced before and during my community college career.”
Bird said she highly values the diversity of students that Durham Tech welcomes. She is now the mentor for many and hopes to inspire others to study hard and achieve their goals.
“I appreciate our embracing of diversity. It is very evident on our campus that this is important. We help all students succeed. I don’t want to be anywhere diversity and equity are not key. I am fulfilling a lifelong dream at Durham Tech.”