Pirate Anne’s September 2025 ANNEfluencer: Kia Glosson

If there’s one word to sum up Kia Glosson, it’s heart.

Not just for her family and friends, but in everything she sets her mind to—Kia leads with compassion, creativity, and resilience.

 

From an early age, Kia had an artistic soul. She followed that passion all the way to East Carolina University, where she studied art education with a focus in pottery (a true Pirate alum—arrgh!). After graduation, Kia taught for Wilson Public Schools before dedicating herself fully to raising and homeschooling her three children for the next 21 years.

 

“I loved the collaboration with other homeschooling parents,” Kia shares. “I wanted my kids to have hands-on learning as well as strong critical thinking skills. We did a lot of field trips!”

 

When her children left the nest, Kia felt a new calling. Her volunteer work led her to a position as a Community Educator at ECU TEDI BEAR, North Carolina’s largest children’s advocacy center. TEDI BEAR provides assessment, treatment, education, and prevention for children who may have experienced abuse or neglect.

 

“My director at Tedi Bear took a chance on me and really gave me an opportunity to shine,” Kia says.

 

And shine she did. Yet, after years of teaching and service, Kia felt a tug in her spirit: Was it time to go back to school?

 

At that same time, both of Kia’s parents were struggling with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Though her heart ached to stay close, her parents encouraged her to pursue her dreams: “We’ll be OK,” her father told her. With their blessing—and aided by ECU tuition assistance, grants, and fellowships—Kia courageously returned to school at 53 years old, pursuing her Master’s in Social Work.

 

Her journey was not without heartbreak. Both of her parents passed while she was in school. But Kia held onto their pride, love, and encouragement, finishing her degree in 2022 and walking across the stage at 56 years young.

 

Now, she’s determined to become fully licensed at the age of 60 —proving that dreams have no expiration date.

 

True to her artistic roots, Kia plans to blend her love of expressive arts with her work in therapy, helping others heal through creativity. When she’s not seeing clients, you can still find her teaching pottery classes at Emerge Gallery in Greenville, sharing her gift and passion with the community.

 

And this year, Kia took an even bigger leap: she’s opened her own practice and is now accepting new clients.

 

If you’d like to connect with Kia for her heartfelt services, she can be reached Kiagglosson@gmail.com