Inspiring Careers: Anne Montgomery’s Journey

In an episode of the MindShift Power Podcast, hosted by the dynamic Fatima Bey, we had the privilege of exploring the fascinating career journey of Anne Montgomery from Phoenix, Arizona. Anne has had multiple careers and is also an author of several fictional books. Her story is one of resilience, determination, and continuous learning.

A Trailblazer in Sports Reporting

Anne began her career as a sports reporter and sportscaster, a rarity back in the seventies. "Everybody laughed at me because women simply didn't do that kind of thing back then," she shares. Anne became a pioneer in her field, eventually working for ESPN and anchoring SportsCenter from 1990 to 1992. Despite the adversarial environment for women at ESPN, Anne's passion and knowledge of sports carried her through.

Transitioning to Teaching

After leaving ESPN, Anne faced challenges finding another job in television. "I couldn't get a job anywhere in the country because I was pushing 40," she recalls. She transitioned to teaching at a Title 1 school in Phoenix, where she taught for twenty years. Anne's experiences as a teacher, working with students who faced various societal issues, profoundly impacted her. "I learned a lot from my students," she admits, acknowledging that teaching was the hardest job she ever had.

Overcoming Dyslexia

Anne's journey includes overcoming the challenges of dyslexia, a condition she wasn't aware of until later in life. "I was the dumb one in the family," she remembers. Discovering her dyslexia while training to be a reading specialist helped Anne understand her struggles and connect with her students. "If I can learn to read and enjoy reading, so can you," she would tell them.

Writing for Impact

Anne's experiences as a teacher and sports reporter influenced her writing. She writes about societal issues such as PTSD, domestic violence, and rape. "I had students who dealt with these kinds of issues all the time," she explains. Anne uses her writing to shed light on these important topics, drawing inspiration from her students' stories.

Valuing Experience

Anne's diverse career path underscores the importance of valuing one's experiences. Whether as a sportscaster, teacher, or author, Anne has consistently leveraged her experiences to make a positive impact. Her story is a powerful reminder that our experiences, both good and bad, shape us and can be used to help others.

Final Thoughts

Anne Montgomery's journey is an inspiring testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and the importance of lifelong learning. Her story encourages us to embrace our experiences and use them to create positive change in our lives and the lives of others.