TeachingInColor FINAL DIGITALPages - Flipbook - Page 8
If you came to class without your book
he made you go and get back and get it from
your locker or gave a self reflection sheet if it
was left at home for your parents to sign after
you filled it out. If you were late to his class,
he would lock his door in accordance with our
assistant principal, who was also an African
American male, to expose the importance of
timeliness and respect. If any one of us were
late, which I was once, we would have to go
to the Assistant Principal's office to discuss
why, and his office just so happened to be
across the hall from this science teacher. The
principal would discuss the tardiness and let
students know if further action was necessary.
This was a true display of how impactful and
powerful black educators were then, and even
more so now. I took those life lessons and
applied them to help shape who I am today,
still becoming and desire to become.
As a teacher, what is one thing you can’t
live without?
No one ever asks you if you can't live without
something as a teacher. The one thing I can't
live without is my Creator. I know despite
every peak and valley in my life, without God
nothing I have or anything that I am would
be possible. I am a product of grace. It is by
God's grace that I have made it this far in the
teaching profession. There have been many trying times,
When did you have your first teacher of color and how
many days I've wanted to give up or give in or even turn my
did that teacher shape your learning experience?
back away from it, but my faith in GOD wouldn't allow me
Amazingly, I didn't have my first teacher of color until I was a
to. There was always that still small voice saying, .“Don't you
junior in high school. He was an African American man who
quit. Someone needs what you have to give.” I haven't. My
taught environmental science. This was a very life-changing
gifts have made room for me, and that's why I keep going.
experience for me because he was my first teacher of
color and also he was teaching a classroom of mostly
As a teacher of color what are some of your biggest
African American teenagers. He was tough, yet gentle
challenges? How have you overcome them?
and understanding. He taught us not only environmental
Some of the biggest challenges I've faced being an African
science, but the importance of studying, being ready and
American educator are being stereotyped, not feeling
prepared for class, life, lessons, being on time, respecting
like my voice matters, not being given fair and equal
ourselves as well as adults.
opportunities other educators are given in the profession,
often being seen as an enforcer rather than educator,
