Why did you become an educator?
As young black boy from a low-income community there was a scarcity in opportunities, guidance, and quality education. I spent a significant amount of time thinking about what I could do in this world to disrupt the status quo. It wasn’t until I was introduced to the quote by Nelson Mandela, “education is the most powerful tool which you can use to change the world,” my mind was liberated and stimulated. This quote led me to reflect on my experiences in school and expand my knowledge on education. I built a passion and personal commitment to empower the youth through education and mentorship. My purpose as an educator is to dismantle educational inequities and the school to prison pipeline.
What do you love about your school?
I love that my school takes a holistic approach in supporting the students that we serve. While prioritizing academic achievement, we emphasize building culture, security, and community service/engagement. My campus also provides a wide range of professional development and coaching to ensure that teachers are equipped to be change agents inside and outside of the classroom. As a school in a low-income community, we are culturally relevant and responsive which creates a safe environment that promotes inclusion.
Why is it important that lower income children can attend schools of choice?
There is a scarcity of quality education in our country. Students and families deserve to have autonomy on which school will be most conducive for their overall growth and development. This gives them the opportunity to advocate and take ownership for their education. I believe public charter schools in low-income communities should maximize the utilization of resources to recruit students from the community, because often times people are not aware of the options they have in reference to acquiring a quality education.
