Tina Meadows, 38, works as an office assistant at Bryan Elementary School. She started there in September.



• Why did you want to work at a school?

I love kids. I’m a people person, so I enjoy working in a place where people are always coming in. I’m from this community. I’ve lived here all my life. Also, I wanted to be at the same school with my child.



• Tell me about your family.

My daughter Erika is 15. She goes to Mortimer Jordan. My son Daniel is 7 and he goes here. I get to see my son every day at school. I love knowing I’m here so close to him. My husband Kevin works at Thompson Tractor as a product support manager.



• What is it like to work where your child attends school?

When he walks through these doors, he belongs to the school. My mother-in-law used to work here in the school office, and even then I said that he was not to be treated differently than any other child.



• How long have you been married?

Nineteen years.



• What do you do in your spare time?

I spend a lot of time with my kids. My daughter dances at Mortimer Jordan, and my son plays baseball, so I stay busy with them.



• Do you have any brothers and sisters?

I have two brothers and a sister. I’m the baby. We’re a very close family.



• Tell me about you parents.

I have a wonderful mother and daddy, Alton and Francis Surrett. They were good spiritual leaders. They are wonderful people. I’m truly blessed that God gave me to them. They will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary next March.



• Do you have a church affiliation?

I’ve been a member of Enon Baptist Church in Morris for five years.



• Is there anything about you that most people don’t know?

I have a love for older people. I love to reach out to them because I think they’re often forgotten about.



• What is the last book you read?

“The Shack” (by William P. Young), which is about a man whose daughter disappears while the family is on vacation. It’s a sad book, but it’s a story about how God is always taking care of us.