We had the good fortune of connecting with Jasmine McTague and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Jasmine, what do you want your legacy to be?
My legacy… A woman who cared about people, obviously, but that gave back to the community and advocated for the world of education, and mental health, and wasn’t afraid to try something new. Everyone knows that when Jasmine wants to learn something she will do it and no one can stop her. When I have something in mind that I want to achieve, I will do it. I am an educator and I am an advocate. I am constantly around our youth and in everything I get involved with I include my daughters. So in the end, I am an educator, and advocate, and I gave back.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a Jack of all trades and a Master in Education. My route to becoming an educator wasn’t something easy and it took a lot of reflection. I love an world of modeling, and fashion and received my masters but didn’t have the right support. I learned earlyEpilepsFarhan’sties when I was trying to get into the world of fashion that I didn’t fit the mold for some people. I was too athletic, or I needed to lose more weight.,, My attitude was,” The clothes have to fit me and not me fit the clothes.” You can say I didn’t get a lot of gigs at way. So I let it go. With acting, I didn’t have the funs to keep up with headshots, resumes, etc. So I decided, to go into education. I became a Pre-diem teacher’s aid and worked with different grade levels. I watched and observed my colleagues and their teaching styles. It helped me form what kind of teacher I would be. It is during this time, that I would work on a project with Mr. Terry Harvey in creating a non-profit organization called Advocacy for EBD. This was a joint effort with parents, community helpers and other Advocates. It would take us 4 years to gain the Non-profit title and our 501 C status. This is where the start of becoming an advocate began.
I would earn my BSE in Elementary and Special Education through Grand Canyon University as a single parent of two girls. I would start my career as and educator and a few years later I received my Masters of Education.
Was it easy to work full time and go to school online to get my degree easy? The answer is no. It was hard. By the time I earned my Masters , I was married and with a new born. Everything I have done up until this point was to set myself up to be taken serious about advocating and serious about what I enjoy as an Educator. I am still not taken serious and I think it is because of my teaching style more than anything. I am playful, since I teacher Kindergarten. I am Ms. Frizzle to my students, learning is fun all the time.
I strive to become a role model. I joined the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc in 2020. This was my step to give back to my community and make those connections to bring the awareness about Mental Health, Children with Emotional Differences, Epilepsy etc.
At the same time, in 2021, I met Farhan Chowdrouy because I competed in American Nations Pageant. The director posted that Farhan was looking for models. So, I signed my daughters and myself to be a part of the United Together Fashion. It is here, I saw Farhans vision and what United Together Fashion stood for. So I began to help him recruit models. United Together Fashions opened doors I didn’t think would open for me. Farhan became someone I would like to aim to be if in the Fashion world great but if in the world of Education even better.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Jersey City and New York City are two great areas I would take my friends. Jersey City is a very diverse place, we have a small area called Indian Square and depending on the time of Year, they have big festivals. Downtown Jersey City is were all the food spots are. Hoboken would be were all the bars are at that most would go to. Jersey City is also full of historical areas. We would take a ferry to the Statue of Liberty, then to Ellis Island were we can talk about geneaology, then to the Apple Tree house with George Washington met with Layeffet . The Spirit of New Jersey would be a great activity to do because we get on a Ferry that tours around the Hudson around NYC and you have food and entertainment. If there are children, Liberty Science Center is a great place to visit especially with the I-Max and the largest planetarium plus it is inside Liberty State Park as well. Then off to NYC, the clubs are a great place to dance. My favorite is Webster Hall. Hang out at the Village for food, drinks our to enjoy the atmosphere at Washington Square park. The musical Theaters is a great place to visit, I am a fan of Hamilton but we can see any other play. Time Square has great spots to shop. Then off to the museums, my favorite is Museum of National History and the MET. Central park is my favorite Parks it is great for families.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shout out is my mother, Rose; Husband, James; our children Kayla, Farida, Yazmina, and Grayson. Last but not least, Mr. Terry Harvey.
Instagram: instagram.com/Jasmine_tagg
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasminemctague/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdvocateEBD
Image Credits
Tory Alexander: Picture with me in silver tube top and red background