One of the reasons I became a teacher was so that I could design lessons that would be fun and exciting for my students and myself. I wanted to teach them about achieving their dreams. I intentionally taught at urban schools. There were a lot of people in my life who tried to persuade me to teach in the suburbs. I was determined because I believed that students in impoverished areas deserved to have high quality free education.
I grew up in the inner city of Buffalo and I felt that majority of the teachers I encountered where fantastic but majority of them where white. This was a blessing and a curse for me. I came away with different perspectives and ideas that allowed me to dream and consider the possibility of living differently. It also left me with an ache for more. I wanted my educators to resemble me. I wanted to share a cultural connection with them.
My teachers drove really nice cars and had great traveling stories. They were activists, experienced, educated, highly intelligent, and very funny. At the same time they were very serious about the important stuff. They didn't always live in our neighborhoods. I received a public school education and I learned about my culture through their eyes. I learned that I could make a difference despite the challenges I faced.
I thought I needed to to see professionals or experts that resembled me in order to achieve success. I felt that I needed to have a cultural connection to the people who were teaching and supporting me for me to find my way. In Buffalo, New York during the eighties and nineties that would have been like catching fireflies during the winter. The people in my life at school and at church were invested in me and even though they didn't always look like me they taught me about living a faithful life of commitment, honor, and service. They also taught me how to love others unselfishly and how to peacefully fight for what I believed in every day.
After much deliberation as a sophomore in college, I decided to become a teacher. I wanted to be a teacher that was honest, personable, professional, and inspiring. I wanted to offer my students an opportunity to rise to the occasion as well as give them a cultural connection and a safe place to learn. I also wanted to give myself a chance to thrive as well. I wanted to travel, get involved in civic, religious, and cultural events, and pursue my love of writing and art and share my learning with my students. My goal was to make a difference in one child's life. I believed that if I could reach at least one child and help them realized their unlimited potential I would be satisfied. I wanted them to realized that they had the power to change negative patterns of behavior and have the ability to start afresh each day. Everyday my students were given an opportunity to start over. I understood from personal experience that sometimes life gives you lemons but what you decide to do with them makes all the difference.
In reality all I actuality needed were people who believed in me and to remember to give myself the same opportunities I offer to my students. In full honesty, I never received what I believed I needed which was cultural validation and connection outside of my home. In the end it didn't matter. I found that on my own. I was taught the fundamental basics at school and was given a chance to dream. I can honestly say that I am where I am suppose to be in this season of my life. I had a front row seat to a lot of civic, religious, and cultural events and I was able to see that dreams do come true. That education matters. Your choices and outlook on life matters.
It took a lot of hard work, faithful dedication, lots of faith and prayer, lots of tears, but I came away with supporters who encouraged, challenged, and helped shape me. Some of them took a personal interest in me. Most of all I came away with a heart for serving my communities. I hope on this site I will be able to share some of my personal experiences--some of the joys and some of the hardships through my writings, my art, and whatever else my imagination dreams up for me to post. I hope they inspire you to dream a little more and not to allow the lemons in your life to distract you from what is important and that is living well every day for yourself and your communities.
I am a product of my communities. I am an example that dreams do come true.
Happy African American History Month!
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