What role do you play in Education?
I am currently a sixth grade math teacher grade level lead and the basketball and flag football coach at Strive Prep Montbello.
How long have you been in education?
I will be going into my fourth year in education as a teacher. It started when I entered into a Masters of Arts in Teaching program, and I’ve stayed in the field. I plan on being in this field for a while.
Why do you think education is important?
Like Malcolm X said, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” Especially in the black community, education is going to be absolutely necessary in order to uplift and enlighten our people to take our communities to another level.
What do you love most about your role in education?
I love that I get to impact literally hundreds of kids every day and be a positive role model breaking the school-to-prison pipeline. I want to show people that there are other things in life than what’s perpetuated on TV and in music and the stereotypes that are projected onto us.
What is the best advice you have received about impacting the education sector?
My instructional coach told me, “We’re not in the business of controlling children, we’re in the business of managing them.” Managing them means to get the most out of them that will help them reach potential they never thought they could reach. Unlocking untapped knowledge and ability that can go a long way into disrupting deficit thinking, and deficit mindset, which is rampant in our communities at times.
What advice would you give the younger generation about their education?
I would tell them that education is the key to the future. I would tell them that you’re never too young to start learning, and you’re never too old to keep learning. Knowledge is always something that you can acquire. As times and technology evolve we have to be willing to evolve with it and keep up with its ever-changing landscape and the world that we live in.
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Self Submission
I’m from the Montbello neighborhood, and three years ago I had an opportunity to make a career change by teaching in my neighborhood. I am still teaching and trying to impact as many students as possible. My duties include leading the 6th grade team, and coaching the schools flag football and boys basketball teams. I’m very active in my community as a member of the ShopTalkLive team dedicated to the education and empowerment of black people. Servant leadership is my foundation, and will continue to be as grow in education.
