Perry is no stranger to the environment that a Catholic school facilitates having started her career in the Memphis Catholic school system after graduating from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Continuing her teaching career in Bolivar and Crockett County, Perry jumped at the chance to return to a Catholic school.

"The thing that is so exciting is to have a Catholic high school here in Jackson, and to be on the ground floor of it," Perry said. Starting from the ground up means that the school is still growing. With less than 30 students in the entire school Perry said it creates an advantage for her as a teacher.

The small classes allow her to focus on each student. "There are no cracks to fall through, we're too small and so they can't slip," Perry said. "We're right on top of them all the time, so they come to understand that there is no slacking here."

While she wears many hats at SHJHS, including playing an instrumental role in getting the high school accredited, Perry said the job she is most passionate about is preparing her students for their futures. "When you graduate, if I've done my job you don't look back," Perry said. "You know you are prepared, and whatever comes your way you are ready for."

Perry said that teaching gives her the opportunity to work with young people and shape their lives. "Watching them walk in as freshman as young adults, not fully formed, and watching them leave as adults who are critical thinkers and are ready to take on the next step," Perry shared. "It might be small and it might be one student at a time, but I get to make a difference in the world and that's why you do this."