We are celebrating excellence in education in May and these teachers continue to inspire the future generation of professionals through their leadership, action and efforts. Making up a small percentage of teachers and supportive staff, Black educators account for roughly seven percent of the total number of educators across the country. In Michigan, of the 94,000 educators across the state, four percent are Black. As we look to celebrate teachers and education professionals, we shine a light on these Black male teachers and professionals for their exemplary leadership and being a light to their students.
Gavin Jackson, University Preparatory School Science & Math Elementary, 2 years in education.
What has been your most rewarding moment as an educator or someone in the education field?
“The most rewarding moment as an educator is being able to influence the future. As an educator, you give children the skills they need to go out into the world and succeed.
It really doesn’t matter at what stage in a child’s life this happens. So, whether you are teaching five-year-olds letter sounds or high schoolers about economics, you are giving them what they need to go on and do bigger and better things and build upon those skills.”
With the pandemic, it caused a great shift in teaching mechanics and access to students. What has teaching during the pandemic shown you or taught you?
“Teaching during the pandemic has shown me how important education really is. I just do not think the world would exist without education. We saw it! Even Though we had to leave the school, we immediately had plans in place to teach virtually. Education still mattered no matter what we were facing. It was a challenge, but we did what we had to do for our students.”
Why is this work important?
“Education is important because it helps us to grow and develop. It’s a guide to know how to navigate through the world, especially the systems of the world.”
Tyrell Slappey, Brenda Scott Academy, 3 years in education
What has been your most rewarding moment as an educator or someone in the education field?
“My most rewarding moment had to be when one of my students was finally able to read through a chapter of her book with precise fluency. I mean she struggled with it for months and after she could do it, she wanted to read it to me and then the entire class. I had to let her, it
was so adorable. Seeing the joy of overcoming a challenge like reading is amazing to see firsthand.”
With the pandemic, it caused a great shift in teaching mechanics and access to students. What has teaching during the pandemic shown you or taught you?
‘Teaching during the pandemic has shown me how much we as educators take for granted. I knew it would be difficult. I didn’t know to what extent. Not being able to be around your students to connect with them, check on them and just give them love and one-on-one support has opened my eyes even more to how much human interaction really matters. It has taught me to think outside the box; use resources wisely and overcome challenges that you wouldn’t face in the classroom setting. To be honest it has prepared us for almost anything.”
Why is this work important?
“It may sound cliché, but this is important because we are the ones shaping these minds to enter the world. We push the limits of students’ intelligence and creativity. We are there for them when they have problems at home. We are a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, a hug when they need love. I have provided food, hygiene products, supplies and even toys to students in need. We’re like a second set of parents. We provide, we love, we push, and we protect. Our work doesn’t end when we walk out the school building. The community around us needs us. Our babies need us to create leaders for the future.”
Mario Lemons, Principal at Detroit Achievement Academy, 10 years in education.
What has been your most rewarding moment as an educator or someone in the education field?
“The most recent rewarding moment came when I received a message from a Facebook friend who is a current teacher at Cass Technical High School. In this message the teacher shared the story of how his student was talking to him about how he reminds her of her ‘favorite teacher ever — Mr. Lemons.’ When another student whom the first student did not go to elementary school with was eavesdropping on the conversation and yelled ‘You know Mr. Lemons? I love him! He was my 3rd grade teacher!!’ The three of them had no idea that they all had me as a common connection until that moment.”
With the pandemic, it caused a great shift in teaching mechanics and access to students. What has teaching during the pandemic shown you or taught you?
“This pandemic has taught me the power of a strong community, and its ability to hold its members together in times of crisis, uncertainty and intense challenges. Our school community was hit hard by the pandemic. As a community we experienced a seemingly unbearable amount of loss but somehow, even in this moment, we have risen to the occasion time and time again with compassion, cooperation and high levels of individual and collective responsibility.”
Why is this work important?
“Some say that this work is important because children are our future. I often push back on that cliché because our children are our now! Their voices, minds and entire beings matter — now! They inspire, educate and effect change in the lives of the people around them, now! So, it’s our duty as those who work in the education field to support, nurture and facilitate the growth of our young people as much as humanly possible.”
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