Jacqueline Howard spent more than 30 years educating the children of Clinton City Schools. Now, five years after retirement, she is spending her time focusing on empowering women.
Born in Newburgh, N.Y., Howard moved to Clinton after graduating from high school in 1975. Coming from a small town, life in Sampson County was very fitting and brought great success over the following decades.
Howard attended Sampson Community College, where she met her husband, Roscoe Howard. The two were married just two months after meeting and will soon celebrate their 39th anniversary.
“While I wouldn’t recommend marrying in such a short time, it has worked for us,” Howard said.
The couple have two children, son Derek, who lives in Michigan and works as an engineer, and daughter Monica, who lives in Clinton and works as a social worker. The apple of Howard’s eye, granddaughter Brielle, who is just two and a half years old, keeps her grandmother busy.
After receiving her degree in Business Administration from Mount Olive College, Howard began working with Clinton City Schools in the finance department. In 1997, she earned her teaching certification and began teaching business education. Howard wasn’t finished with her own education, and returned to the classroom to earn her master’s degree in school administration. When she retired, she was the principal of Sunset Avenue School.
“As a woman, it is difficult adding on responsibilities in life,” Howard explained. “But I always knew what I wanted and worked hard to achieve my goals.”
Having two young children at home, Howard said she knew working during the day and taking classes at night would be a challenge, but a challenge she was willing to take.
“I had to rationalize to myself that I was doing this for my kids,” Howard said. “Mary Brown once told me, ‘you have short term pain for long term gain.’ And that’s true.”
As a way to spend time with her children when they were younger, Howard said she and the kids would all sit together and read and study, just as a way to be with each other.
“I always valued my family time,” Howard shared.
Today, Howard spends her time in the community giving back to those who have given so much to help her achieve her dreams. As the lead for senior ministry at Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church and a part of the Friendly Trio Development Corporation, Howard says she stays busy. She is also the area director for Toastmasters.
Always intending to follow God’s path, a few years ago Howard began working to empower women and became a certified life coach and started her own business, Moving on With Coaching.
“As a teacher and administrator, I spent all day coaching,” Howard said. “It was only natural for me to become a certified life coach so that I can help meet the needs of women who may be broken.”
Howard is hosting her second women’s conference April 21-23 in North Myrtle Beach.
“God’s timing just worked to place me where I need to be,” Howard explained. “I’m right where he wants me to be. I’ve learned in life that it’s important for people to connect with their purpose.”