Alumni Spotlight—Questions with IPS Alums: Micah Durham Discusses How the District Shaped Her Life
Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) takes pride in the diverse and inspiring journeys of our graduates. We’ve created the IPS Alumni Spotlight to celebrate our former students and highlight their experiences, achievements, and personal interests. We believe every graduate has a unique path, and we can all learn from their journeys.
Recently, IPS asked Micah Durham, a 1997 Arsenal Technical High School graduate, about the impact the district had on her life.
Q–How did your experiences at Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) shape your educational foundation and career aspirations?
A–My experience shaped my educational foundation by challenging me to want to be better. I always knew that I wanted to help others and work with others
Q–Can you share memorable moments or teachers who had a significant impact on your time at IPS?
A–A teacher who had a big impact on me was Mr. Swinford. He taught Latin at Tech. He challenged me by making me produce my best work. He’s the reason I can translate multiple languages now because he made me learn the root words in Latin.
Q–How has your education at IPS influenced your personal and professional development since graduating?
A–Since graduation in 1997, I’ve earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Benedict College. I have worked in the community as a Case Manager for over 20 years. The foundation that I received from attending an IPS school ensured that I have met my goals.
Q–What specific skills or knowledge gained at IPS have proven most valuable in your current life or career?
A–The skills and knowledge obtained are the foundation of my current career. I can work with a wide range of people. The diversity while attending tech gave me what I needed to be able to network and communicate with different people from different backgrounds
Q–In what ways have you stayed connected with the IPS community, and what advice would you offer current IPS students for a successful future?
A–I stay connected by volunteering with in IPS. My current job partners with the schools in the community which allows me to stay connected. I attend sports events. Advice I would give a current student is “Carpe Diem,” Make the most of the present time!
Q–What challenges did you face during your time at IPS, and how did overcoming them contribute to your personal growth?
A–I had a counselor who didn’t see my vision of going to college and getting a degree in Biology. That taught me to push harder and to prove naysayers wrong. Unit this day, it brings me great pleasure to prove naysayers wrong. It made me develop a great work ethic.