Today we’d like to introduce you to Candis Perdue.
Hi Candis, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I began my journey as a Head Start aide, I had a B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education and a minor in Human Services. With the urging and guidance of an old principal and mentor Anette Gaddy, I decided to take my teacher’s certification exams to become a permanent teacher in the school district of Hillsborough County. My love for words and how they impact began at the elementary school age…
Born and raised in Tampa, Florida. Candis Perdue is a single mother of a 15-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl. She is an English Language Arts educator, curriculum, 2-time children’s book author, and spoken word poet. She began writing short and creative fictional stories during her primary school age. It was during those early years that she discovered that not only was writing a hobby or a pastime, but confirmed by one of her then teachers, a true gift and talent that was highlighted and encouraged and confirmed by a special teacher.
She continued to write fictional stories throughout grade school but, it was during her high school years that she would begin to use her craft of creative writing to entertain friends and communicate the unspoken. Writing fictional stories would soon develop into poetry and spoken words and in turn unconsciously become a therapeutic method that she would use to later overcome self-esteem and anxiety issues.
Her writing style reveals intimate feelings of self-doubt and self-worth from many perspectives. However, the shared insight embedded deep within her words not only allows those to hear them to empathize, but simultaneously leaves them with encouragement, motivation, affirmation, and insight.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to certification wasn’t easy as it took several attempts to pass the exams. I possessed the gift and art of teaching but needed to zero in on the best practices so to speak. Here I am 12 years later doing what I love…
Personal setbacks and the struggle of feeling like “I could” being a single mother would be other struggles.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am proud of my three spoken word poems being on all platforms (Spotify, Amazon, Apple Music, iTunes, etc.). Proud of my two children’s books Pretty and Brown and Brilliant and Brown a few more are about to go into publishing.
Right now, I have an interview podcast titled, Candis’ Candid Talk on my YouTube channel @candisperdue1649!
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
When my friends and others thought we were rich because of all of the Disney and family trips we went on… Not knowing my parents saved, sacrificed, and used and went without for us to have great memories.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Terrol Henderson
