Knowledge is Power
Finishing up my first year back inside a School environment as a Dedicated Aide at Washington Leadership Academy, a Public Charter School in Washington DC. I’ve come to the realization that mentorship, teaching, and giving back may really be my purpose in life. I feel I have a connection with kids, especially High school, young adults that allows not only me to understand them, but they receive the message seamlessly from me as well. Being relatable and respectful are pivotal in young adult lives and those two things I am devout to give these kids I interact with on the daily basis. I’ve been a mentor for years visiting community centers, homeless shelters, Job Corps (Extremely sad to see Trump shutdown Job Corps Nationwide smh), and schools to teach my path of entrepreneurship, fashion, and just life lessons along the way. But until this year actually being day in and day out with these kids, I’ve realized that I have a want and need to Teach. Being a high school teacher is far from a walk in the park but a lot of the task is being there and giving these kids something to look up to, respect, and relate to, as well as giving them the knowledge they need to succeed at their next level of growth. Seeing the good and some bad habits of teachers first hand has been an eye opening experience. So much so it has given me much more respect and admiration for my teachers back when i was in school.
Few months ago I had the opportunity to go back to my Alma Mater, The Illustrious Morgan State University to speak for Career Day and check out all the campus updates, my Family and Consumer Science new building, and check in on one of my favorite Professors, Profesor Dickerson. Ms. Dickerson opened up the entire department to my disposal and gave me a grand tour of their new technology with 3D animation, as well as the new sewing studio. Truly amazing the strides Morgan has taken in the future of their students, and how advanced times have changed since I was a Morgan Student many moons ago. What’s even more profound is the relationship that the professors leave on their students. Professor Dickerson has been an avid reader of my blog following my career the last twelve years and I just want to thank her for her gracious invite and all she’s done for me as a student and champion of GoonMilk all these years. It’s professors like her that give me the confidence to continue my path in entrepreneurship and continue striving to do more with my talents and knowledge, and as we all know, Knowledge is Power.
The New Family and Consumer Science Dept of Morgan State University
Furthermore, I decided to take a leap of faith and trust God’s timing, after many talks with teachers, and a push from the current Phys Ed./Health teacher who’s been looking for another Teacher to split course loads with, as well as assist coaching the Boy’s Basketball team at WLA. I decided on applying for the Physical Education/Health Teacher position here at Washington Leadership Academy. My initial thought process was, “who better than me to lead these young adults in a healthier lifestyle, build a better basketball culture, and be an upstanding strong male figure in this school.” But I’d be lying to you if some doubt didn’t creep in my mind as well. Am I really qualified to teach high school? Do I have the patience for 20 to 30 kids a class everyday for a whole school year? Does my background line up with Physical Education and Health? I would say yes and no to all three of these because we all have our fears and shortcomings, but the courage to try anyway is something I’ve always had the ability to face in times of uncertainties. I believe I can do pretty much anything I focus my mind on and right now my focus is helping these kids be better adults. I have two boys that are going to need the best teachers, the best peers, the best community to live within the near future, how else do I manifest that for them without attempting to be the best I can be as a father, role model, and citizen in our community. That’s my motivation. They are my why, and reason for everything I do. This position allows me to teach as well as learn first hand how these kids think and how to steer them in the right direction, in turn teaching me how to do the same for my family. Again Knowledge is Power, and I am forever on a conquest to learn and gain wisdom to hand down and give back to those that come after me. Salute to all the teachers out here and wisdom seekers as well and pray for me on this new journey into education.
