It’s Friday, August 1, and there’s an energy of excitement outside the FedExForum as Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) educators and staff gather for a pep rally to celebrate the start of a new school year. Among the crowd, one group stands out, a cluster of smiling faces who clearly know each other well. They lean in close for a photo, representing not just colleagues, but a family. 

From left to right: Denise Davenport, Dr. Natasha Gossett, Tamonica Moss, Anner Moss, and Dr. Shemaiah Morton 

At the heart of the group is Anner Moss, a proud mother and aunt whose path to education began in an unexpected place, the Memphis Police Department. For years, Anner served as a lieutenant, leading with discipline and compassion. Even while in uniform, she gravitated toward opportunities to mentor young people, volunteering to read to elementary students, working with Girl Scouts, and spending summers tutoring children in academics and life skills. When she retired from the force, she didn’t slow down. Instead, she followed her lifelong calling to teach. Today, she is a second-grade teacher at Raleigh-Bartlett Meadows Elementary, shaping young minds with the same dedication she once brought to public service. 

Her daughters, Tamonica Moss and Dr. Shemaiah Morton, are carrying that same commitment into their own careers. Tamonica, a 2008 graduate of Northside High School, is an Audit Advisor at MSCS’ Central Office. In just two years with the district, she has already become a trusted problem-solver, ensuring that vital operations run smoothly. Shemaiah, who holds a doctorate, is in her fourth year with MSCS as an ESL teacher at Hickory Ridge Elementary and Fox Meadows Elementary, where she helps multilingual learners gain confidence and thrive. 

Anner’s influence extends to her nieces as well. Denise Davenport, a 1990 graduate of Central High School, works as an RTI2-B Specialist, a role focused on supporting students’ behavioral and social-emotional growth through targeted interventions, re-entry support, and collaboration with teachers and families. With a decade of service to the district, she is known for building relationships that encourage growth and student success. Dr. Natasha Gossett, a 2000 graduate of Trezevant High School, serves as Assistant Principal at Georgian Hills Middle School. With 19 years in MSCS, she has become a steady leader who inspires both staff and students. 

All five women agree that growing up in Memphis and attending legacy Memphis City Schools shaped their outlook on education. “Growing up here gave me a strong sense of community. My teachers and coaches invested in me, which shaped who I am today,” said Dr. Gossett. “Now I get to pour that same support back into students who remind me of myself. Many of them face the same challenges I did, and I want them to see someone who came from their community and succeeded and came back.” 

The women also say that watching each other’s journeys over the years has been one of their greatest motivators. They remember attending each other’s graduations, celebrating new degrees, and witnessing important milestones along the way. Those moments, they say, made them believe in the power of education to open doors, and they continue to encourage one another to keep learning and striving. 

While their jobs range from classroom instruction to administrative leadership, they share a single purpose: helping students succeed. For Anner, watching her daughters and nieces follow her into service is deeply rewarding. “It’s a really good feeling because we all have the same goals, passion, and drive to make a difference for the success of the students,” says Denise, echoing a sentiment the whole family shares. 

Together, this family embodies the values that drive MSCS forward: a commitment to students, pride in their community, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of public education. They’ve walked the same hallways their students now walk, sat in the same classrooms, and faced the same challenges. These shared experiences make their impact all the more personal. 

When asked what advice she would give to young people considering a career in education, Denise’s response is simple but profound: “Embrace your individuality.” 

For MSCS, this family is more than a story of shared employment – it’s a story of shared purpose. It’s proof that “Greatness Grows Here.” 

If you have a story about a MSCS student, teacher, or school to highlight, please email us at communications@scsk12.org. Include the school name, story details, and an SCSK12.ORG email for follow-up.