Meet Anyunna Phillips | Mother & Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anyunna Phillips and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anyunna, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I am from Decatur, Ga, located on the Eastside of Atlanta. My mother’s love was and still is unmatched. As the eldest of five children, I never felt pressure or weighed down with responsibilities. I was allowed to be a happy child without worry. I think a lot of children or even people miss out on that in their life. And that’s sad. My mom gave me a childhood, that was light, innocent, and filled with joy. My grandmother had a great hand in my upbringing as well. You know what they say about a praying grandmother, she is the reason I’m still here today. I literally witnessed genuinely good people in them, people who want greatness for everybody. That’s hard to come by. They both instilled in me so much confidence and empowerment. I thank them both for that, I thank my family for that.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My first job is a mother. I have been a mom for 8 1/2 years to 3 of God’s most perfect creations. I have been an elementary educator for 8 years and I’ve loved every moment of it. Now, some moments can be pretty tough but I am grateful for them all. My relationships with students is what sets me apart from other teachers. I have a genuine love for those little people. I have a genuine love for the people that they love too. I got to where I am professionally due to my heart. Honestly, that’s all it is to that. It’s hard work but it’s heart work. It’s literally work of my heart, challenging, difficult, draining yet so rewarding. I have 3 kids. I’m exhausted, but challenge and difficulty are the companions of words like joyful and meaningful. This work is so rewarding I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else. And that’s what it’s all about, perspective. I think that very thing has carried me throughout life. I’ve always been a pretty optimistic person, I’ve been told that can be a gift and a curse. I’ve also been told that that is an annoying thing about me…but that’s how I get through. I get to impact the love of so many beautiful kids from the ones I birthed to all my other babies I have the pleasure of meeting. I want the world to know that we have power, the power of perspective and power in the choices we make, so choose happiness. Life is precious, we all need and deserve to be happy. Be intentional. I wouldn’t say I learned that the hard way, but my story exudes just that. I was in a tragic car accident almost 2 years ago now. I was found unresponsive and without a pulse. I was resuscitated and airlifted to a hospital. I suffered a traumatic brain injury, multiple brain bleeds, fractured skull, fractures down my spine, left and right rib fractures, and a left collapsed lung. Remained in ICU for 4 days, and by the grace of God, I walked away whole. Nothing broken, nothing missing, nothing lacking! We do not have time to be mean, harsh, negative, angry. I mean we can rightfully feel those things but don’t stay that way. Be intentional with your life, let it be a source of light for someone else. I think I’ve said enough lol.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oooo, now that’s a hard one. I don’t get out much but one thing for certain and two things for sure, we are going to eat good. Now I’m from the eastside and so we have to get some wings. The two places we will go are American Deli and Fletcher’s. The American Deli location off Gresham Rd., 10 pc medium wet with lemon pepper sprinkles and “all 3 mixed” on the drink. Fletcher’s is a family restaurant owned by my folks’ people, shoutout to my SWD family, there were getting the 10 pc sweet heat wet. We will definitely have some good drinks, good brunch, and more good eats. We’ll just pick anything from Tik Tok and we’re good, no pressure. We’ll also make a point to visit the Atlanta Beltline.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Easy enough, I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my mother and grandmother. They deserve all the praise and recognition. These women have given me more than I could ever give them. They have supported me, encouraged me, empowered me, LOVED me unconditionally! I don’t even know if I’m even deserving of such a love, there are times that I took it for granted, there are times I felt unworthy of such a love. But I want them to know that I thank them for that and I do not take it for granted.

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