Jay Flowers '90 and Olivia Flowers '25

Jay Flowers ’90 is an English teacher at Topsail High School and a longstanding Watson College partnership teacher. His daughter Olivia graduated from Topsail, earned her bachelor’s degree in English Literary and Cultural Studies with a double minor in psychology and theatre from UNCW, and is now an aspiring English teacher enrolled in Watson’s Secondary Master of Arts in Teaching program.

“I stumbled into teaching as a career,” Jay said. “I had always enjoyed literature and writing and began my career writing and recording music. Eventually, I decided to go back and earn a NC teaching license. I attended the Watson School of Education and had an amazing academic experience but still felt that a teaching career would last for 3-5 years at the most. Here I am 29 years later, still with a desire to get up, and teach every day. I consider myself very lucky to have come across a career that has lasted decades and still challenges me.”

Olivia says she has always wanted to be a teacher and dreamed of the day she could be in her own classroom.

“I think that growing up and spending so much time in my dad’s classroom inspired my love of being at school,” she said. “Some of my fondest memories from my childhood include playing school and drawing on the whiteboard in my dad’s classroom. I have also always loved going to school, so it was easy to decide I wanted to do that for the rest of my life.”

As a partnership teacher, Jay has maintained strong ties to the Watson College and mentored several aspiring WCE teachers. Still, he said he was concerned about Olivia going into secondary education as a career.

“My fear for her is the ever-swinging pendulum of what a ‘successful’ teacher looks like. New principals, state legislation, and a minority of parents often control the classroom narrative,” he said. “Often unrealistic expectations and duties are placed on teachers.”

Olivia is undeterred. She said she fell in love with UNCW and there was really no question in her mind that she wanted to continue her education by pursuing her master's here and becoming a teacher.

“In addition to my dad, so many of the teachers who have positively impacted my life and education are UNCW Watson alums. I was excited to get to follow in the footsteps of so many who have meant so much to me,” she said.

“I cannot say enough amazing things about the professors and staff of Watson,” she continued. “They have been the most encouraging, supportive, and caring group of people I have ever worked with. Getting to go to my classes is such a gift because I am always met with such energy and excitement by all of my professors. My classes have given me strong information, and having the opportunity to actually be in a classroom for my field experience has been so helpful and exciting. There, I can see myself as a teacher and have a look into my future.”

Jay’s advice for future teachers is, “It will take three to four years to master the content and delivery; be patient. After that, I believe the task of becoming a student advocate is paramount. Assisting young people to navigate the maze of social and academic challenges will be the most rewarding experience you will have. And, most importantly, love what you do. If or when the time comes that you do not love classroom teaching and are unable to tune out the outside noise and cannot focus on the student, leave and find another job. Schools need to be filled with positive energy and hope.”

Olivia, who will be graduating with her cohort in May 2025, says she’s up for the challenge.

“There are many people who try to convince students to not go into education because of some of the issues, but I would encourage anyone who is considering teaching to do it!” she said. “Good teachers are so important, especially right now and Watson College of Education is such an amazing place to become a teacher. Even in this first semester of teaching, I have already learned so much about this career and myself. It has truly changed my outlook on life and brought me so much joy. Every day is a new adventure and I feel thankful that I get to play a role in the lives of students.”

In final comments, she said, “I just want to say thank you to both of my parents for always believing in my dreams of being an educator as well as all of the faculty in Watson who have supported me through this process. I am so excited to see what comes next!”