Portrayed by Kathy Bates as “Miss Sue” in the best-selling book and Oscar nominated movieThe Blind Side, Sue Mitchell famously tutored NFL Ravens #74 Michael Oher from a .6 GPA to a 2.05 in high school, and finally to a 3.75 Dean’s List student in college.

Sue Mitchell’s career spans more than four decades in education, with experience from elementary to the collegiate level. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Mitchell earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Mississippi and a Master of Science from University of Tennessee. Sue began her teaching career in Atlanta, Georgia, but after three years returned home to Tennessee and taught Elementary School for three years, Middle School for 10 years, and high school for 23 years.

Her work with Oher didn’t end once he began attending Ole Miss. Mitchell retired from teaching and moved to Oxford, Miss., to be near family and accepted a position with Ole Miss as a learning specialist. From 2005 to 2009, Mitchell worked for the athletic department, tutoring Michael Oher and other athletes with similar backgrounds. As she says, “There are so many Michael Oher’s out there.” In February 2013, Mitchell and the whole Tuohy family were on the sidelines cheering Michael and the Baltimore Ravens on to his first Super bowl victory.

Mitchell continues to remain active in her sorority, Kappa Delta, as an alumni advisor, and was also the advisor to the National Champion Bartlett Cheerleaders.“I always knew Michael would succeed,” Mitchell says, “but that doesn’t make me any less proud. Michael saw his opportunity and took advantage of it. Once he gained the necessary confidence, there was no stopping him in the classroom or on the football field.”Currently, Mitchell can be seen in Family Addition with Leigh Anne Tuohy on UP, the network dedicated to uplifting entertainment. The new television show features families as they go through the practical, physical, and emotional process of adding a new family member and also facilitates a makeover of part of their homes to accommodate the new addition.

At the podium, Miss Sue takes audiences behind-the-scenes of The Blind Side, telling the story from her perspective as an educator and learning specialist. A believer that any student can achieve academic success with the right blend of motivation and applied learning, Mitchell inspires students and teachers alike to explore new opportunities in teaching and learning. For educators, Miss Sue draws upon her work with Michael Oher and beyond, highlighting applied teaching techniques and lessons learned from four decades as an educator, from elementary school to college.