They say two heads are better than one, but for one couple, there is power in numbers. From the meeting at Tougaloo College in the computer lab when checking messages on MySpace to today, both having earned doctoral degrees in education, the two been inseparable and have pushed each other to new heights.
From that first impression in the computer lab, the two knew there were sparks and something special. Both became number 6 in their respective Greek organizations, Catori Pollard in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and Leslie Polk in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
“So surely it was destiny!” said Leslie, remembering back to 2005. But it wasn’t forever after at that time. Nearly 10 years later, the two reconnected on New Year’s Eve in 2013, and that is when happily ever after started. They have been together 13 years, married 10, and together they have two children.
Working together in education in the same school, the two did everything together. Both were looking to advance from regular PK through 12 classrooms to administration and post-secondary education. His goal was to eventually become an Athletic Director through a specialist program and she was hoping to continue her work in gifted education at the collegiate level.
“He was told he needed a specialist, and I kept hearing I needed a doctorate,” she said. “I told him we might as well go all the way up to doctorate together, and then we’d be covered for anything we decided to pursue.”
She takes credit for the initial motivation, and he agrees.
“I owe a huge part of my professional growth to Leslie,” Catori said. “Originally, my plan in education was fairly straightforward: become a certified PE teacher, maybe pick up a specialist degree, or transition into athletic administration. But then she casually mentioned she was going for her doctorate, and asked if I wanted to do it together.”
He said from the initial meeting in the computer lab, she was focused on her education and had set goals and he was still looking for direction.
“I was technically just maintaining a presence in an academic building, but the computer lab doubled as a nice spot to hang out,” he said. “I was simply hanging out with my older brother in a spot with air conditioning. I saw her, and she saw me, and the rest was history.”
Today, Dr. Leslie Pollard works as an early interventionist in the Moss Point School District Office of Student Services and Dr. Catori Pollard is athletic coordinator for the City of Moss Point Parks and Recreation Department. While both have made great strides in their careers, both have shifted due to uncontrollable events.
“I am trying to learn from every part of PK through 12 educations because I would ultimately like to work in Human Resources,” she said. “Onboarding of new staff, supporting existing staff, and creating a pipeline of our own staff and students could solve a lot of concerns in our community.”
She said intentional rebranding with proactive recruitment and retention is the key, and she wants to be a part of building that culture.
She said she hates to hear people talk negatively about Moss Point and especially the schools. And on that city end, Catori is making progress with the city’s Athletics and Parks and Recreation, so he is not in a rush to move back into formal education.
“I am making great progress right now, but if I ever go back to the Pk through 12 setting, my ultimate goal would remain to serve as an athletic director,” he said. “This would be great after building up the city Pee-Wee and recreational programs.”
Together, The Drs. Pollard are firm believers of working in education with children and educators. She said that in a dream world, they would like to open their own school or alternative learning program, and he said the doctoral program experience has developed in him a desire to be a school administrator.
“There is a lot of work to be done, especially with students who are at-risk and have alternative placements,” he said.
The couple, along with their two children, live by the motto, “Power to the Pollards.”
*Photos are courtesy of the Pollard family
