Russell County teacher balances classroom career with acting

PHENIX CITY, Ala. (WTVM) - Russell County elementary teacher Brandy Wells-Martin recently appeared on Netflix’s “A Different World.” She said the work ethic needed to balance two careers was instilled in her at a young age.

Early start in the arts

Wells-Martin spent most of her childhood in Richland, Georgia. She said she was involved in ballet, tap dancing and gymnastics. She said she became involved in modeling at age 8.

She graduated from Troy University with a major in theatre and dance.

“The love of the arts, I love the arts. I love becoming. And being able to get into these roles and these characters and entertaining people,” Wells-Martin said.

Teaching and acting

Wells-Martin said her path was not always easy. She grew up in small towns, including Richland and Willacoochee, Georgia, where she said there were not always opportunities for her to showcase her talents. She said her mother involved her in local activities but often had to make the drive to Atlanta.

“I had a mother, she supported me in all ways. It was never a conflict, it was more like you need to be able to take care of yourself. And so I did whatever it took to make sure I could take care of myself,” Wells-Martin said.

Her mother encouraged her not to always rely on getting a job as an actor. Wells-Martin became a teacher, like her parents, and now works for Phenix City elementary. She said she does both because it is a passion and she could not think about not doing one or the other.

Breaking into the industry

Natalia Temesgen, a CSU professor, writes scripts for several shows on Netflix, Hulu and HBO Max. She said breaking into the industry is not easy.

“Part of what it takes to break in is to be your own manager, your own agent, your own hype man. So you have to work other skills that might not come as natural,” Temesgen said.

Advice and next steps

Wells-Martin offered advice to others pursuing entertainment careers.

“If I had to give anyone advice, it would be to keep pushing. Find your place, find your lane and once you’re there, you’re there,” she said.

“I’m proud I did not allow the path, because the path can be rigid, that I was on through life to discourage me from getting to the place that I knew God had ordained just for me,” she said.

Wells-Martin said her next step is landing a role in a sitcom TV show.