For Stacey Roberson, the journey from a student at Mary E. Smithey PACE High School to a fourth-grade teacher at Charles Acton Leadership Academy is a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the transformative power of education. Today, as she stands before graduates as the keynote speaker at the PACE High School graduation ceremony, Stacey will share a story that has come full circle within the Duncanville ISD community.
Stacey’s journey began in 1997 when life’s challenges forced her to make a pivotal decision. Pregnant and caring for a mother battling breast cancer, she found herself struggling to keep up with her studies at Duncanville High School. “I missed a lot of days of school. Did not perform well in class because, of course, my mind was all over the place,” she recalled. Her world felt overwhelming, and her future uncertain.
Encouraged by a friend, Stacey applied to PACE High School, a move that would forever change her trajectory. Initially fearful of judgment, she was met with compassion and support from then-Principal Dr. Ruth Richey and the entire PACE staff. “They welcomed me into PACE, and that is just where I believe my life transformed,” Stacey said. “It was the best year of my high school journey.”
At PACE, Stacey found a nurturing environment that helped her refocus her goals. “They noticed I wasn’t eating and ensured I had what I needed,” she said, tearing up at the memory. “They really saw me and took care of that part of me.” With the smaller class sizes and personalized attention, Stacey’s confidence grew. She went from feeling like a “terrible student” to helping her peers with their classwork.
Despite the challenges of being a pregnant student, Stacey graduated on time, just days after giving birth to her daughter. “It’s a miracle that I even graduated,” she said. “That moment was so significant because my parents, now deceased, were able to see me walk the stage.”
After high school, Stacey spent 17 years in the mortgage industry, achieving financial success but yearning for something more meaningful. “I knew that wasn’t my purpose in life,” she said. When her daughter graduated, Stacey decided to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher.
Returning to school full-time, she earned her associate’s degree from North Lake College (Now Dallas College) in 2019 and her bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2021. By 2022, she became a licensed social worker. Eventually, Stacey found her way back to Duncanville ISD, bringing her journey full circle.
Today, Stacey teaches fourth grade at Acton Elementary, where she strives to instill the same care and encouragement she received at PACE. “The encouragement I received translates into my classroom every day,” she said. “There’s not a day I don’t wake up and thank God for my job.”
Each day, Stacey gives thanks to God for her teaching job, which fulfills her purpose. "After my graduation and my mother’s recovery from cancer, both of my parents worked for the school district—my mother as a secretary and my father as a teacher. Now, my daughter also works in the district. It has been incredibly fulfilling to give back to the school district that invested so much in my family and me. Although both of my parents have passed away, I carry their legacy of service and compassion in me. Working for Duncanville ISD symbolizes restoration, hope, and the belief that my past will never dictate my future."
As she prepares to address PACE graduates, Stacey reflects on the significance of her role as a keynote speaker. “It’s important for those graduates to know that the sky’s the limit,” she said. “The obstacles they faced in the past do not define the possibilities of their future.” Her journey is a powerful reminder that life’s challenges can be steppingstones to success.
To the graduates she will speak to tomorrow, Stacey offers a heartfelt message: “Embrace your challenges. Learn from them. And remain teachable. You can turn your life around at any moment.”
Stacey Roberson’s story is one of transformation, resilience, and a commitment to giving back. Her journey from PACE student to Duncanville ISD teacher embodies the district’s mission to engage equip and empower all scholars to achieve their unique potential.