We had the good fortune of connecting with Stacie McClam and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stacie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I was tired of teaching. As a teacher, I felt unheard and disrespected by the school system. It was a career that did not turn out for me as expected. I wanted to make an impact, but was unable to make the kind of impact that I wanted according to my standard of quality. I suffered from teacher trauma and wanted to expose the issues that I observed during my ten years of teaching. There were no other areas of education that I was interested in. I didn’t want to become an administrator, education consultant, curriculum designer, etc. I wanted to be a part of helping to impact systemic change in education outside of the classroom. I felt stuck. I felt that I could not make a change in education while working in the education field in any capacity. In addition, I decided not to use my legal background to advocate in the education field because changing laws takes too long.

I knew that I had to start my own business if I wanted to be in control of my purpose. I discovered that film could be used for social change, reach masses of people, and hold people accountable because everything is on display – the good and bad. This intrigued me. After writing my book in 2018, School Dismissed: Walking Away From Teaching, I decided to make School Dismissed my brand and the name of my film production company. My film production company inspires rages for system change in education.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am the Founder of School Dismissed, a film production company that exposes K-12 public education issues. I intend to have many books and films in my School Dismissed series. What sets me apart from others is that I’m a teacher with a law degree and a filmmaker. Most filmmakers have not been teachers or law school graduates.

The journey has not been easy. I resigned from teaching in 2018 and was out of work for about a year. It was difficult to find a job even with my skillset. It was frustrating because teachers have so many skills that are overlooked by employers. Transitioning from one career to a new career was a challenge. I was able to obtain different temporary jobs such as substitute teaching and legal documents review. Currently, I have a job as I build my film production company.

I learned that if you are uncomfortable, then that means you are in action. If you are comfortable on the sidelines, then you don’t feel discomfort, and you’re not in the game – which is fine if that’s what you want. I have a big vision for my life so I wanted to do more and be more. My brand represents my experiences growing up in public school. I was bused to schools outside of my neighborhood starting from the age of six years old. Also my grandmother was a teacher in segregated Virginia. I recognized education inequalities from a very early age.

I am most proud of my upcoming documentary called Robbed: A Mother’s Peril that explores Kelley Williams-Bolar, a divorced mom, who enrolled her daughters into her parents’ school district and unknowingly committed a crime which triggered the fight of her life when she was jailed.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to Santa Monica, Hollywood, the Crenshaw District, and Long Beach. I would take them to an Ethiopian restaurant in Little Ethiopia on Fairfax and the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza to see Debbie Allen’s Dance Studio and Nipsey Hussle’s mural. I would also take them to Ackee Bamboo Jamaican restaurant in Leimert Park, to see the Hollywood sign, and to see the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In Santa Monica, I would take them to the pier and walk down the Third Street Promenade. Pink’s Hot Dogs and Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles are possible food stops that I would make. I would also see if one night we could go to a rooftop bar/lounge in downtown Los Angeles.

I would see if they wanted to do a Warner Brothers studio tour or to go to Universal Studios. If time permits, I would ask if they wanted to visit Catalina or San Diego.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mother passed away unexpectedly in October 2021. She deserves credit for her unconditional love and support for me and my endeavors. She was always there for me and did everything that she could to help me, nurture me, and teach me. It meant a lot then and means a lot now. Words cannot describe it. My mom knew how I felt without me ever saying anything. She was so in tuned with me that she could sense my feelings. I felt comfortable around her even if we weren’t talking.

She always told me the truth whether I wanted to hear it or not. I appreciate her honesty. You can feel when someone truly wants the best for you. That was my mom. She was my biggest supporter, encourager, and cheerleader. I wish that she would have known how good of a mother she was. I remember everything that she told me and still speak her name often. I will never forget what she taught me over the years and how she made me feel – loved. My mom made me feel like I mattered. Love was all around her. She exuded kindness. I would not be where I am today without her. She taught me ambition, passion, and hard work. I love her always and forever!

Website: www.schooldismissed.com

Instagram: @staciemcclam

Linkedin: @staciemcclam

Twitter: @staciemcclam

Facebook: @staciemcclam

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