Felecia Shareese Killings

An Interview with Felecia Shareese Killings: Author & Educator

Sylvia: Welcome Felecia. Please give our readers a brief introduction of yourself and a little about your book.

Felecia: I am a quintessential educator and promoter of change, transformation, and innovation within the educational field. My years of dedicated service to education and ascribing to the motto that, “Learning is a Lifestyle;” have resulted in my extensive years of training and preparation in the educational spectrum. I received my Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California, Davis in 2005 with double majors in English and African and African American Studies. I also obtained my Master’s Degree from UC Davis’s School of Education in 2007. I have received preliminary Doctoral of Education course work at Argosy University from 2008-2010; and will complete my Doctorate of Philosophy in Education with emphasis in Organizational Leadership at North central University in Arizona. I have provided my community with five years of service as a public-school English instructor. I have also created educational programs that help minority youth reach their full potential through excellence in education, job training, and college and career preparations. In addition, I am an author, publisher and founder and CEO of Power, Faith, and Love Ministries, which oversees seven organizations including PFL Publishing, CA, my book ministry.

When I was very young, I had a deep-rooted desire to be an educator. By the first grade, I knew that this was the profession for me. What I did not realize at that time, and even into my undergraduate years, was that becoming a teacher in America’s public schools would entail a world of struggles and challenges that were rarely addressed.

Often times as Christians we feel that God is satisfied by our regular attendance at church, how well we highlight His Word, or the number of prayers we make in a day. We rarely consider that God has called all of us to accomplish a very specific task that requires us moving beyond the four walls of the church. For me, my mission was to affect change and transformation in the public school system.

When I first received a teaching job in Fairfield, California, I never imagined that I would do more than to provide my scholars with skills to help them perfect their reading and writing. But I soon found myself becoming an advocate for social and moral change. In a system that promotes and embraces ungodliness, rebellion runs rampant, especially in the public schools. During my first two years of teaching, I was confronted with racially hostile co-workers and students; administrators who permitted verbal and physical abuse from adolescents; and unfair treatment from the educators to the student body. Much of what I witnessed reminded me of the struggles that our ancestors encountered during the 1950s and 60s when attempting to secure equal education and protection was very dangerous. Unfortunately, the same fight that they went through, I and others had to face within the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District.

Fear, Faith, and Patience: My Fight for Justice in an Injustice System chronicles my struggles, challenges, and triumphs as a public school educator. I discuss a lot of issues that the public is unaware of, sharing with them the need to become active in this system if any real change is to occur. This book is the first of a three-part series, which tackles issues such as racism, sexism, discrimination, and sexual abuse. It takes the deepest, darkest moments of my five years of teaching, and brings readers into a world that is unknown. I strongly believe that this book will revolutionize the way the public views educators and the system in which we are involved. I also believe that it will stir up the hearts of Christians to step out of the realm of mediocrity, and become vigilant in exacting God’s power and might in earthly affairs, especially in the educational system.

 

Sylvia: Wow, powerful stuff! What inspired you to write your first book?

Felecia: My desire is to ignite a fire within God’s people to become active in earthly affairs inspired me to write this book. I’m not the type of person who can idly sit back and let injustices go on without speaking up, because I realize that my silence, and that of others, gives license to ungodly, destructive behavior. I have learned over the last few years that my words, when enveloped in God’s anointing, have the power to bring forth the change that is necessary in public schools. Thus, publishing a book that accomplishes this very task is my driving force.

 

Sylvia:  Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Felecia: The message that I want readers to grasp is that we all have an obligation to get active in earthly affairs for the sake of the next generation. If we remain silent about issues that plague our schools—issues such as racism, sexism, discrimination, and sexual abuse (especially from students to teachers)—then we cannot expect any change for our youths.

 

Sylvia:  Do you have any advice for other writers?

Felecia: My advice for other writers is to simply share whatever God places on your heart, and trust that the words He gives you is exactly what the people need to hear in order to bring them out of a terrible situation.

 

Sylvia:  What marketing techniques have you used to sell your books and which ones have been most successful?

Felecia: As a novice publisher, I knew that in order to get my book out there, I would need the help and expertise of one who has gone before me. My mother, Paulette Harper-Johnson, was just the person because she had already established herself as a prominent Christian author. After discussing with her my vision of this book ministry, she gracefully accepted the role as my publicist and marketing supervisor. I cannot emphasize enough how much of a help and support she has been to me; and I would highly recommend her services to anyone, especially new authors.

 

Sylvia:  Your mother is such a lovely lady. I had the pleasure of meeting her at our book launch in Florida. Yes, we co-authored a book, “Victorious Living for Moms,” a collaborative effort of over 30 authors from around the country.  

Why should we buy your book?

Felecia: Purchasing this book is especially important for parents and families that have an investment in the public school system. Anyone who sends their children to these schools needs to understand what is going on in it, and to learn that they have rights that entitle them and their children to receive better and equal education. This book is also important for educators who feel trapped in a system that commits serious offenses against them. It is an eye-opening text, one that many will find difficult to believe because it is so atrocious. In spite of what goes on there, the book (and the subsequent books to follow) provides hope and encouragement for all those who are facing tough challenges.

 

Sylvia:  Is there a special place that you prefer when you write?

Felecia: For me, I love writing in the comfort of my home.

 

Sylvia:  What projects are you currently working on?

Felecia: This book is one of a three-part series; so I am currently finishing the other two books that will provide a conclusion to the stories presented in the first book. In addition to working on my book ministry, I am in the process of licensing my first non-profit organization that works with adolescent females who are caught up in prostitution within the Bay Area, including Fairfield, CA.

 

Sylvia:  What is your POWER WORD?  Why this word? (My power word is EMPOWER)

Felecia: My power word is FAITH. As the Scriptures read, faith is the substance of things hoped for. Faith enables me to accomplish those things that I could have never imagined doing. Faith caused me to write this book in order to stir the hearts of the people. And faith will help me accomplish the tasks that seem insurmountable and impossible.

 

Sylvia: Yes, Faith… makes all things possible!  So important to have faith… as it can get you thru difficult times in your life. Thank you so much Felicia. I commend you for sharing your story with us. You are wise beyond your age.

How should readers contact you as well as buy your book?

Felecia: You are very welcome Sylvia. Your readers can connect with me through the following:

Website: http://powerfaithloveministries.weebly.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/felecia.killings