Title: Science Instructor

Company: Cleveland Metropolitan School District

Location: Cleveland, OH

As a lifelong learner, education is very important to Willa Q. Theus. She had her son at 17 years old, and needed a way to provide for him, so she started her career with Head Start in 1989. After a few years, however, Ms. Theus decided that she didn’t want to become just another statistic, so she went back to college to earn a bachelor’s degree. Her great friend and mentor, Karen, encouraged her to go into science education because of her skill at solving problems, and thus her passion for learning began. Since then, Ms. Theus has gone on to earn two master’s degrees from Cleveland State University: one in science inquiry and the other in reading curriculum and instruction. She is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in leadership, with an emphasis on organizational leadership, at Grand Canyon University.

Ms. Theus has dedicated her career to learning, too; as a middle school instructor, she encourages female students to seek careers in science. She is also an expert speaker on various topics, including educational and team strategies, leadership, spiritual enlightenment and organizing people’s personal and professional lives. When she isn’t teaching or learning, Ms. Theus is very involved with giving back and making a difference. As the Cleveland chapter president for the National Association of Professional Women, she participates in and supports Dress for Success, the American Heart Association, Breast Cancer Awareness and Girls Inc. Locally, Ms. Theus is involved with Homeless Stand Down, which provides food, entertainment, clothing, haircuts and medical screenings to the homeless.