It is crucial for educators to genuinely care about their students’ success, both academically and personally. A teacher’s dedication and support can make all the difference in shaping a student’s future. Lamekia L. Primm, MML, CHC, CLC, embodies this commitment in every aspect of her care.
For more than two decades, Primm has gone beyond the classroom to empower students through business education, life coaching, and leadership development.
Building a Career Around Education and Leadership
Primm has dedicated her life to education, beginning in 2004 as a business instructor. Since then, she has taken on a variety of roles that showcase her versatility and leadership skills. Currently, she serves as an Edgenuity instructor in the Dickson County school system in Tennessee, where she assists students in credit recovery programs.
“I became an educator because I felt a sense of calling to the profession,” Primm says. “My father always encouraged me to become a teacher, and I realized I wanted to make a difference. Both my father and mother have always been my biggest supporters personally and professionally.”
Her dedication to the field of education earned Primm several prestigious awards. She was named teacher of the year in Dickson County in 2019 and recently received the distinguished educator of the year award in 2024 in Clarksville-Montgomery County. “The recognition has been a reminder of how much I’ve grown and how much I can still give back to my students,” she reflects.
Inventive Approaches to Student Engagement
In her role at the Dickson County School System, Primm implemented a student-run business program that designed products such as T-shirts, banners, and posters, which were sold across various states. This hands-on experience taught her students valuable business skills while managing operations independently. “It was important to me to create a businesslike environment in the classroom,” Primm explains. “I trusted my students to handle tasks on their own and they rose to the challenge.”
Primm’s commitment to student engagement extends to her work at Greenwood Alternative School, where she helped a student print a short storybook. The experience highlighted the importance of recognizing and nurturing student talent. “I saw how much this project meant to him, and it made me realize how important it is to use available resources to inspire and uplift others,” she recalls.
Expanding Her Impact Through Health and Life Coaching
Beyond her teaching career, Primm also leads a life coaching program through her own business, Foundation and Refinement. She works one-on-one with student clients to help them improve their life skills, self-awareness, and well-being. “My goal is to help students own who they are and empower them to take charge of their future,” she says.
Primm aims to expand her coaching services districtwide and eventually offer them to other districts and organizations. Her work aligns with her broader mission to create safe spaces for learning and personal growth.
Looking Forward: Expanding Her Vision for the Future
In the future, Primm plans to establish a youth financial center and safe spaces for young adults to develop life skills. She hopes to expand her Foundation and Refinement program from middle schools to colleges and rehabilitation centers. “Helping young people understand who they are and guiding them through their struggles is my life’s mission,” she says.
Primm’s focus on empowering others, particularly at-risk teens, is a testament to her dedication to making a difference in her community. Through her forward-looking work in education and coaching, she is shaping the future of young adults and creating lasting positive change.
