Ever wondered the effects of a black man in the classroom? So rare and so necessary. Yes, we exist even when we don’t have the accolades to go with our dedication to the job.
I was blessed with at least five black male instructors throughout elementary and high school and having graduated from an HBCU, a number of awesome brothers to mentor me during my academic career. I can name each of them with fond memories.
Having there been so few and far in between, I recall the fear I had of them at first but then also the love I found for each of them being realistic and supportive of my academic needs. Man to man and brother to brother the concern for my education was real and on point. I’m grateful for Mr. Booth (art/karate), Mr. Gilkey (6th grade and biology), Mr. Art Porter (the best jazz musician I’ve ever studied under, RIP), Mr. Edwin M Carter (the most dedicated band instructor ever patient and consistent), Dr. Donald Love (one great principal), Mr. Horne (one of the best assistant principals and one armed trumpeter ever heard!!! And of course Mr. Julius Stratton, the only teacher that ever made me truly learn geometry and recall it to this day and of course my frat—RIP.
These are the black men I knew as instructors throughout elementary and high school and am forever grateful for their presence in my life.
I also acknowledge the many spectacular black male teachers I had from college but being so many I don’t want to miss any of them. I will say that no matter what our title, men, we do make a difference no matter what the world around us says.
I know I’ve had a positive impact on the earth. What does your footprint say about you?
-Andre Terrett
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