Madam Monday - Who is Ebony Cornitcher?
I reserve Mondays to recognize jet-setting women who are making great strides in their communities. I call these features "Madam Mondays!"
This particular Madam Monday takes us across the globe. International travel is no longer just a coveted luxury. Cultural connection is becoming more common and accessible . This Madam Monday feature gives readers an understanding of what it takes to pick up and plant your life in a whole new world.
This Monday we ask,
Who is Ebony Cornitcher?
Change the world.
These three words sum up the passions of this pizza fanatic, alum of the College of William & Mary and International Educator. In 2013, this Philly native packed her bags and moved to Hangzhou, China to pursue her passion of teaching.
Ms. Cornitcher pictured in Guiyang, Guizhou China
Modestly, Ms. Cornitcher describes her day as fairly simple. After heading to the gym and catching up on current events, Ms. Cornitcher drives her e-bike to the Bear American English School to teach English to Chinese students ranging from age 9 to about 13.
Ms. Cornitcher's road to education was not always clear. It took some self-discovery for her to find her true calling.
Ms. Cornitcher pictured while visiting Seminyak, Bali
"I used to be motivated by the monetary value of a position, but that was very short lived. I am a firm believer in following your heart, and more importantly, following your passion. "
Her drive to teach stems from her own experiences. She knows, first-hand, that education is vital to achieving dreams. Not only was Ms. Cornitcher the first in her family to get a bachelor's degree, but both of her grandparents were sharecroppers. She uses her testimony to show children that there are absolutely no limits!
I have been able to make achievements that far surpass what my reality would forecast for my life. I want children to dream BIG and never let anyone take away their imagination and wonder.
She takes inspiration in a quote from her pastor.
""Your gift will make room for you.' When you tap into your God given talents and gifts, and fulfill His purpose for your life via your passion, that's a life worth living. Anything less than that is slavery and bondage. I choose to live freely."
Ms. Cornitcher pictured boat-riding in Tonglu, China
Teaching is something that obviously has a great deal of influence on society. Ms. Cornitcher notes that every person on this Earth has had to or will have to sit under the instruction of a teacher. Even if a child does not take the traditional education route, they will learn from someone. There is always one instructor who sparks something great inside of a child and encourages them to take on the world. Unfortunately, negative discouragement can also have a heavy impact. Ms. Cornitcher references the case of the great civil rights leader, Malcolm X:
"The great civil rights leader, Malcolm X, had an English teacher in the 8th grade who told him he would never be a lawyer because he was a 'n-gger' and that "that's no realistic goal for a 'n-gger'." Malcolm X was growing up during a time when African-Americans were not given much opportunity or access in society. Those words from that one teacher completely changed Malcolm's life and sent him in a world wind of poor decisions that eventually landed him in jail. It was there that he found his calling and then went on to impact millions of people in the world. You don't get much more powerful than that."
Ms. Cornitcher instructing students at the Bear American English School
Being so far away from family and close friends, Ms. Cornitcher makes it a priority to motivate herself.
"There's a picture on my phone that says, 'Come on kid. This is your dream' - that is what I have to remind myself of constantly. I have to remind myself of my purpose...."
She sees each challenge as a learning experience, asking God what it is He wants her to walk away with. She also spends time in self-reflection.
"I remove myself, take a few breaths, listen to music, and do something that makes me happy!"
Ms. Cornitcher advises women who are interested in working internationally to just be courageous and go for it! She has some wonderful advice.
"Make friends with people outside of the expat community, and truly experience the culture and life that you are emerged in."
Ms. Cornitcher sincerely values the friendships she's made while in China.
"Meeting people who come from so many different backgrounds is amazing, but also meeting the local people is what really sparks my interest. They share insight into things that other foreigners don't know or can't tap into, sometimes because of the language barrier."
Ms. Cornitcher pictured in Yangshuo, Guangxi China
She wants to continue to radiate God's love loudly and to know that none of her work is about "Ebony" but about Him. While she is making dynamic changes in her community, her priority is to have inner peace.
"I want to be whole. I define being whole as being at peace, being in love with life, being free, and being solid - unshakable by the unfortunate conditions of life and whole within my mind to decipher the correct words to say and when to say them, regardless of who is in my presence. I am in love with this blessing [of life] that God has given me for 25 years and counting."
What does the future hold for Ms. Cornitcher? What's the fun in knowing the answer to that question? Later this year, Ms. Cornitcher will be returning to the U.S. and will hit the ground running. She plans to continue mentoring and teaching, especially with young girls. After securing a teaching position for the upcoming school year, she would really like to get involved with organizations fighting for change within the Black community. Given the recent and very public cases of police brutality, she would like to put her frustration and energy to impactful change.
Ms. Cornitcher's energy, optimism, and heart for youth is not only needed but admirable. She is a woman who plans to have it all!
"...If anyone on this Earth is a superhero, it's a woman with 'it all'"
