“Inside the Career of Dr. Alfreda Emonya Love: Education, Advocacy, and Community Engagement”
Dr. Alfreda Emonya Love is an American educator, author, motivational speaker, radio host, and community leader whose career spans more than two decades of consistent service across education, public life, and faith-based engagement. Born on December 18, 1978, Love has built a professional path grounded in discipline, leadership, and responsibility, with a focus on strengthening schools, empowering youth, and supporting educators. Her work spans classroom instruction, school administration, higher education, public service, media, and authorship, making her a respected voice in education and community advocacy.
Love was born in Waco, Texas, and raised in a close-knit family environment that valued education and accountability. She attended Saint Francis Catholic Preschool and later graduated from La Vega Independent School District. She is a La Vega High School Honor Graduate, an achievement that reflected her early commitment to academic excellence. Love pursued higher education in the field of Education and Leadership, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Baylor University. Her dedication to school leadership led her to complete a Master’s degree with principal certification at Texas A and M University, followed by a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas Arlington. She later earned a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Prairie View A and M University. Her doctoral research, titled, “Teacher Retention: The Self-Efficacy of First Through Fifth Year Teachers,” focused on understanding the challenges educators face early in their careers and the role leadership plays in supporting long term success.
In addition to her academic achievements, Love served in the United States Army for eight years, beginning her service in 2000. Her military experience strengthened her belief in structure, accountability, and service, values that would later shape her work in education and public leadership. She also completed additional certification work in curriculum and instruction at Dallas Baptist University and holds a superintendent certification through Texas Education Region 11.
Love has worked in the education sector for more than twenty years, serving in a range of instructional and administrative roles. She is currently an administrator with Waco Independent School District and previously served as an assistant principal at La Vega Elementary School. Throughout her career, she has been deeply focused on student discipline, teacher retention, school leadership, and whole child education. Her approach emphasizes clear expectations, consistent support, and leadership that values both academic growth and personal development.
Earlier in her career, Love served as a middle school coach for three years and later worked as a seventh-grade English teacher. During her time in the classroom, her students achieved strong academic performance, reflecting her ability to connect high standards with effective instruction. Beyond K through twelve education, Love has also served as a professor of Aspiring Educators and as a professor at Grand Canyon University, where she focuses on empowering future teachers and school leaders. Her academic work and professional contributions address the importance of leadership, professional development, and support systems in retaining educators.
In addition to her work in schools and universities, Love is a nationally active motivational speaker and educational consultant. Through Love’s Educational Speaking Group, she delivers keynote presentations, workshops, and breakout sessions for school districts, universities, churches, and organizations across the United States. Her speaking topics include school discipline, bullying prevention, leadership development, nutrition education, and personal accountability. Her presentations are known for being direct, practical, and rooted in real world experience, making them relevant to students, educators, and community leaders alike.
Love is also active in media and radio. She is the host of The Love Lift Jesus Up Show, a faith based radio program that is accessible nationwide. The show highlights gospel artists, authors, educators, and community leaders, while addressing themes of faith, education, wellness, and community engagement. The program includes discussions around initiatives such as FIT2WIN and provides a platform for conversations that connect personal growth with service. Through her work in radio, Love has interviewed public figures and local leaders, using the medium to promote education focused and community centered dialogue.
As an author, Love has published multiple works across children’s literature and educational writing. Her children’s book Counting with Niyla and Niylal is a multilingual preschool counting book that introduces early numeracy using English and African numerical systems. The book emphasizes cultural awareness, inclusion, and early learning. She has also authored educational works addressing discipline, bullying prevention, and professional development for educators. In addition to books, Love has written films, including Living with Faith, Love and Hope and Friday’s Kinfolk, reflecting her interest in storytelling that centers values and lived experience.
Love’s commitment to public service extends beyond education and media. She has served as Mayor Pro Tem of Bellmead, Texas, and has been involved in a wide range of civic, nonprofit, and faith based initiatives. She is active in Christian ministry through the Love Lift Jesus Up Ministry and has been a longtime member of Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Dr. Kerry Burkley, Sr., serves as pastor. Her career includes recognition for her service and leadership, including selection for the Harvard Urban Leaders program and a nomination for Teacher of the Year in 2003. She has received multiple awards honoring her contributions to education and community service.
Throughout her career, Love has consistently emphasized the importance of discipline, leadership, and personal responsibility. She believes that self discipline and value-driven decision-making are essential for both personal and professional success. Her work reflects a clear commitment to helping individuals and institutions grow with purpose and integrity.
Dr. Alfreda Emonya Love was born to Deborah Poole and Alfred Love and shares strong family bonds with her siblings, including Natasha Love Dixon and Eric Poole. Those relationships, along with her education, service, and faith, continue to shape a career dedicated to learning, leadership, and community engagement.
