A Career Shaped by Discipline and Service: Dr. Alfreda Emonya Love in Education
Discipline and service have guided the life and work of Dr. Alfreda Emonya Love, an American educator, author, motivational speaker, radio host, and public servant. Born on December 18, 1978, Love has dedicated more than twenty years to education, community leadership, media, and civic engagement. Her career reflects a belief that learning extends beyond textbooks and classrooms and that strong leadership is rooted in accountability, consistency, and care for others.
Love was born in Waco, Texas, and grew up in a close family environment that emphasized responsibility and personal values. She attended Saint Francis Catholic Preschool before completing her primary and secondary education in the La Vega Independent School District. She graduated as a La Vega High School Honor Graduate, a distinction that highlighted her early commitment to excellence. These formative years helped shape her understanding of the importance of structure, guidance, and the impact educators can have on young lives.
Her higher education reflects a focused commitment to teaching and leadership. Love earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Baylor University, where she developed a solid foundation in instructional practice. She later completed 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 earned a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Prairie View A and M University. Her doctoral dissertation, Teacher Retention: The Self-Efficacy of First Through Fifth Year Teachers, explored why educators leave the profession early and how leadership can strengthen confidence and long-term commitment among teachers.
In addition to her academic accomplishments, Love served eight years in the United States Army, beginning in 2000. Her military experience reinforced the value of discipline, teamwork, and service to others, lessons that became central to her approach as an educator and leader. She also completed certification studies in curriculum and instruction at Dallas Baptist University and holds a superintendent certification through Texas Education Region Eleven.
Love has worked in education for over twenty years, serving in both classroom 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. Her leadership approach focuses on consistency, accountability, and creating environments where students and educators can thrive. She is known for her work in teacher retention, student discipline, school leadership, and whole child education. Her professional contributions include published academic work emphasizing the role of leadership and professional development in sustaining strong schools.
Earlier in her career, Love served as a middle school coach for three years and later taught seventh grade English. Her students consistently demonstrated strong academic performance, reflecting her ability to maintain high expectations while supporting individual growth. Her classroom experience continues to inform her administrative decisions, allowing her to lead with insight into the day-to-day challenges educators face.
Beyond primary and secondary education, Love has served in higher education as a professor of Aspiring Educators and at Grand Canyon University, where she prepares future teachers and school leaders. Her work emphasizes leadership development, ethical decision making, and practical strategies for managing classrooms and schools effectively.
Love’s influence extends outside academic settings through her work as a motivational speaker and educational consultant. Through Love’s Educational Speaking Group, she delivers keynote addresses, workshops, and training sessions for school districts, universities, churches, and organizations nationwide. Her speaking topics include school discipline, bullying prevention, leadership development, nutrition education, and personal accountability. Her presentations are grounded in real-world experience and designed to provide practical guidance for educators, students, and community leaders.
In media, Love is the host of The Love Lift Jesus Up Show, a nationally accessible radio program focusing on faith, education, and community engagement. The show features gospel artists, authors, educators, and community leaders, highlighting personal growth, ministry, and wellness initiatives such as the FIT2WIN program. Through radio, Love has created a platform for meaningful conversations that inspire learning, service, and positive community impact.
As an author, Love has published multiple works reflecting her commitment to education and youth development. Her children’s book Counting with Niyla and Niylal is a multilingual preschool counting book that introduces early numeracy through English and African numerical systems, promoting cultural awareness and inclusive learning. She has also written books on school discipline, bullying prevention, and professional development for educators. In addition, Love has authored films including Living with Faith, Love and Hope and Friday’s Kinfolk, expanding her storytelling into visual media.
Love’s dedication to service includes civic leadership and ministry. She has served as Mayor Pro Tem of Bellmead, Texas, and participates in numerous nonprofit and faith-based initiatives. She is active in the Love Lift Jesus Up Ministry and is a longtime member of Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Dr. Kerry Burkley, Sr. serves as pastor. Her leadership has been recognized through selection for the Harvard Urban Leaders program, a nomination for Teacher of the Year in 2003, and multiple awards honoring her contributions to education and community service.
Born to Deborah Poole and Alfred Love, she maintains close relationships with her siblings, including Natasha Love Dixon and Eric Poole. These family bonds, combined with her faith, education, and professional experience, continue to shape a career defined by discipline, service, and a lasting commitment to education.