“Ms. Joyful with a ‘p’” (as she often describes her name to students), a 5th grade teacher at New Waverly ISD, has been positively impacting her students through music for the past 18 years.

Joy Fulp has been involved in music as long as she can remember. Growing up, she remembers her mom and dad being in church every time the doors were open. In fact, her parents, Vernon and Ozettie Bowman, met at a church revival. He was a song leader, and her mom was the pianist. Joy’s mother was originally from West Texas and moved to Trinity while still in school because her father worked for the railroad. After they married, Ozettie worked at a lumber mill office. Vernon Bowman, originally from Groveton, worked at Brookshire Brothers. As for Joy, she and her two siblings grew up in Crockett. She was in third grade when they moved there. “Back then, it was a sleepy little town,” she recalled.

Joy had two siblings, older brother Kenneth and younger sister Margaret. “My sister currently lives in the Fort Worth-Arlington area and works for a real estate company, but my brother has already passed,” said Joy. “Kenneth was a marine. While serving in Vietnam, he was exposed to Agent Orange, and when he returned, although his body came back, emotionally he was never the same. He suffered from PTSD.”

Because her brother shared so many of his experiences with her, Joy felt it piqued an interest in her about military life. She picked up on a lot on the military discipline, and it carried over to her students. “Without fail, I would have a student ask me, Ms. Fulp, were you in the marines?”

How did you develop an interest in music?

Growing up, we all played the piano. Our piano teacher was Mrs. Marguerite McClain. My brother was the most talented, I believe. I always felt my calling was in music, that’s why I started with the church ministry and became choir director. One day, when I was already teaching piano lessons, I mentioned to Mrs. McClain that I had these two little piano students. I explained to her that I literally had to get one of them out of the tree in my front yard to get her to come in and take her piano lesson. But when it came time for her to play, she did it with such ease. The other one worked so hard to learn music, but still struggled. Mrs. McClain said, “That reminds me of two students I had. One of them was named Joy, and the other one was Margaret,” she said, as she looked away with a smile. Then she added, “You worked so hard on your music, and for Margaret, it just came so naturally.” That day, I went home and asked my mom, “Why didn’t you tell me I didn’t have any talent?” To this, my mother explained, “It wasn’t that you didn’t have any talent; it was just different. If I had said your sister was more talented, you would never have accomplished anything.”

I grew up thinking I was a special person, but my hard work paid off. Music was my major, and I was on a music scholarship. Although it took a lot of work, I began to love the theory of music. My sister could just sit down and play, but I had to work very hard to learn it, and having to actually learn the theory of music is what, I believe, enabled me to teach music.

After graduating from Crockett High school, Joy went on to school at Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, fell in love during her first year, and ended up taking some time off from school after the birth of her daughter. Shortly after, she transferred to the University of Houston, where she got her bachelor’s degree.

How did you and your husband meet?

We met through pastor friends. I was serving in the ministry at Calvary Baptist in Trinity at the time, and my pastor was friends with the chaplain at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. My pastor was having a revival at his church, and he told me he had met Elmer, and described him as, “he’s about your biggon,” meaning about her size. “I’m not one on fixin’ people, he said, but the next time I’m out, I’m going to ask him to ‘supply preach’ (substitute) for me.” Well, that never happened, because Elmer was called to pastor a church, so the pastor wives ended up getting involved, and six months later, we were married. We got married at Trinity Calvary Baptist Church, where I was serving as Minister of Music. Shortly after, I resigned from my position and came here to First Baptist New Waverly, where Elmer was pastoring at the time. Soon after, I became the Minister of Music here. I love the ministry. When Elmer and I met, we were both on different journeys, but journeys take a different route from time to time. I had my daughter Teresa, from a previous marriage, and he had two sons, but somehow this worked for us.

When did you decide to become a teacher?

My husband was born with heart issues. He had open heart surgery when it was not yet popular to have that type of surgery. He began to deteriorate from the surgery, from pressure in his heart. He told me I needed to begin thinking about teaching. “Go back and get your teaching certificate,” he would say. He was a very wise man. He’d also say, “If you teach school, it would be better to have something academic, rather than music.” I got my teaching certification in 2006, and began teaching in Montgomery. I taught show choir and general music, and since my field was in music and performing arts theatre, this was my dream job.  We were still living here in New Waverly. When Elmer passed in 2011, he had been the pastor at First Baptist New Waverly for almost 20 years.

When did you begin teaching in New Waverly?

After my husband passed away, my daughter started to be concerned. I was living here, and the shows would be late at night, and she didn’t like that I was driving late at night. So, one day, she went into the administration office at New Waverly ISD and picked up a job application for me. I told her, “Nobody ever leaves New Waverly ISD,” but within a month, Kathy Lepley, who was the principal at the time, called me in for an interview to teach social studies. Thanks to my husband’s advice, my teaching certification covered that. I went in for an interview, but I thought to myself, “Coaches always get those jobs.” Then, in just a few weeks, she offered me the job. At this point, I knew Gods’ hand was in this.

During my first-year teaching at NWISD, I asked my principal, “In February, what do you think about doing a patriotic program?” I explained to her that I teach the presidents, states, and capitals to music. She liked the idea, so every Friday, we would do a little song skit, and as time went on, it evolved. Now, I have a patriotic program in February, and another in April. In February, we recognize Black History Month and the presidents. In April, it’s close to the end of the year, but by then, we’ve finished learning about the states in America (and how they were created), as well as Texas history. I told Larry Carlson, the new principal, “I need to explain something to you. When Mrs. Lepley was here, we had these music programs…” and when I was finished giving him my explanation, he basically threw his hands up in the air, and said, “You’re the captain of that ship, you sail it.” He also told me one time, “You teach the old way of teaching, I like that. Keep it up!”

Music seems to be such a big part of your life, yet you now teach social studies, history, and government. Do you regret not continuing to teach music?

I’ve been teaching 5th grade since I began teaching at NWISD. I believe 5th grade is probably the last opportunity to impact these kids’ lives. At this age, they begin getting into their own identity, and their hormones are kicking in. It’s a real critical time for them, so, I refused a music position at one point and stayed where I was because I wanted to make a difference in their lives. I believe it’s important to teach them responsibility and integrity, and to prepare them for their future. I was finally beginning to see what my husband saw in me, and the reason he kept encouraging me to get my teaching certificate. I have no regrets; I still get to enjoy my music ministry through my church, and as I mentioned previously, I find ways to incorporate music in my classes.

What do you find most rewarding about teaching?

Seeing my students succeed. Seeing them graduate from high school, go off to college, find jobs, and just knowing they are having a good life. Seeing how their character continues to develop. We started a program called the Cadet Training Honor Guard. It used to be called Color Guard. It teaches leadership skills, responsibility, discipline, citizenship, and it promotes patriotism. It’s really rewarding to see my students gain leadership skills and see them excel.

What does Ms. Fulp enjoy doing outside of school and church?

I enjoy reading, taking classes, doing crossword puzzles, and doing my Bible study in the mornings. I also love to swim and dance, and I especially enjoy spending time with my grandchildren. I have a 13-year-old German Shepherd named Roxie Hart. She has been a great companion to me since my husband died.