Celebrating Black History Month: Black Educators on Empowerment

This Black History Month, we are celebrating the impact of Black educators. Below, we share reflections from Black educators on how they empower students; how and why being a Black educator is fulfilling and joyful; and the ways in which Black educators benefit all students.

Read the educators’ reflections on joy and fulfillment and their impact.

… my students to be the best version of themselves. — Rachael Kabagabu, Teach Plus Texas Policy Fellow

… students to embrace the power of voice, activism and resistance so that they are able to interrogate their world and work towards social change. — Tracy Edwards, Teach Plus Nevada Senior Policy Fellow

… students to find themselves and their academic and social voice. — Dr. Allison N. Oliver, Assistant Professor in Clarksville, TN

… all students to be present in the moment. I ask that they see themselves and see others with the idea of uplifting their stories together, while focusing on the importance of our differences whether it be sexual orientation, gender, race, or creed. Sharing their stories is the best and most authentic way to help young people find their voices. — Patricia A. Jackson, educator in York, PA

… students to fulfill their fullest potential. — Michael Flowers, Teach Plus Arkansas Policy Fellow

… all of my staff and students. — Hasani Hudson, Teach Plus Pennsylvania T3 Teacher Leader

… my students to be and love who they are by embracing the beautiful Black heritage that has helped to shape them and the world they live in. As a Black literacy teacher, I empower my students by magnifying the voices of authors and characters who look like them in texts- exposing them to positive images and experiences within Black culture. — Brigitte Tshishimbi, Teach Plus Pennsylvania Policy Fellow

… all students. I want all students to unlock their potential to do greater than they initially believed. I believe in reaching students regardless of their race, intellectual abilities, or ethnicity. I use my cultural upbringing to deliver my unique way of teaching. — Dwayne E. Lacy, educator in Katy, TX

… my students and colleagues. — Raven Morris, Teach Plus Texas Policy Fellow

… my students to lead, become involved in the classroom, and live in a way that builds character. I empower them to become accountable for their actions and their results while encouraging their continual growth, celebrating even incremental growth. — Adrienne Black, educator in Houston, TX

… students to be authentic leaders. — Vanessa Jefferson, educator in Pine Bluff, AR

…those who don’t look like me to do better: to use their privilege to pick up, not to put down. — Treci Butler, Teach Plus Pennsylvania Policy Fellow

… my students over years of building relationships that gives me and the students tremendous fulfillment in performance. My class is a second home for my students. — Olutope Aghedo, educator in Houston, TX

… my students to value the humanity in themselves first and foremost. By doing so, I help them to see the humanity in others as well. I teach grade-level 9th grade English, and most of my students are of African descent/Black. I say I stress my students’ humanity because so many of my students have a very negative view of themselves as is displayed in their apathy for the educational space and is displayed in the language many of my students will use to refer to themselves and others. I am purposeful in how I speak to and about my students. I use constant praise and positive affirmations to inspire and uplift my students. I also take time to build a classroom environment of trust and mutual respect. — Nicole Y. Smith, Teach Plus Arkansas Policy Fellow

… [my students] by modeling and expecting excellence, supporting, encouraging, loving, leading, and showing up as my authentic self! — Melody Bradley, Teach Plus Texas Senior Policy Fellow

… BIPOC students by boldly celebrating various heritage months. I make sure I am wearing an empowering shirt, have my bulletin board decorated, and even my door. When I greet them each morning, I start off with a smile. After all, we may be the first smile they see all morning. I compliment/notice-and-name each student to let them know they are seen; I do this publicly. — Cherish P. Jackson, educator in DeKalb, Illinois

… students to self-advocate for their needs. They realize they do not have to go through life alone, and there are people they can come to and ask for support in achieving their goals and dreams. In overcoming academic and personal challenges, they become better versions of themselves in ways that transform the “impossible” into “I’m possible!” — Rhyannon Jovan, Teach Plus Nevada Policy Fellow

… my students, my colleagues, and the youth, period, to cultivate authentic joy regardless of any circumstance invoking the opposite. — Dillon Booker, Teach Plus Nevada Policy Fellow

… my students to learn about the impact of the African Diaspora on America and around the world, to share their own unique stories, and to understand the importance of amplifying their voices. I empower students to take ownership of their own learning by bringing their authentic selves to the classroom. — Michele Lamons-Raiford, Teach Plus California Policy Fellow

… teachers and students to advocate for themselves in a respectful way. — LaTasha Olsen, Teach Plus Nevada Policy Fellow

… students by giving them an outlet to create music outside the box of traditional Western Music Culture. — Phylicia Butler, Teach Plus Arkansas Policy Fellow

… ALL students. This means students from different backgrounds and different races, but there is something special about seeing a little Black girl in the hallway of your school building whose eyes light up when she sees you or giving a special greeting to fellow Black colleagues in support of one another. — Sheila Weathers, Teach Plus Nevada Senior Policy Fellow

… all learners to be critical readers, writers, and thinkers who analyze what they read and connect it to their hopes and dreams. — Phyllis Ray, educator

… my scholars in understanding that we celebrate our history everyday. The way that we sing, dance, wear our hair — we walk the talk of our ancestors 365 days a year. — Precious Allen, Teach Plus Illinois Policy Fellow

… my students by introducing them to authors and poets that were African American. I allow them to see the impact that these individuals had on society during their era as well as now. — Evonie Rash, Teach Plus Mississippi Policy Fellow

… students to advocate for themselves, to have hope when they feel hopeless, to assure them that they can love who they see in the mirror, and that once they get that “paper,” no one can take it from them. I also give them permission to laugh. — Karen Sparks, Teach Plus Texas Policy Fellow

… my scholars to be the best version of themselves. The environment belongs to them! I enjoy watching them thrive in every aspect of their academics, giving them the space to make mistakes and then learn/grow from them. — LaCari Gant, Teach Plus Indiana Teacher Leader

… the young men I serve through active listening, amplifying their voices, and most paramount to me: affirming their humanity and intellectual power. As a Black male educator, it is my life’s mission to shout on the hill-top and to whisper to scholars, specifically young black men, “You are seen, heard, valued, and loved.” While ensuring my actions are aligned. — Rickey Townsend, Jr., Teach Plus Texas Teacher Leader

… all learners by establishing a rapport with each one. I treasure the privilege to motivate, model, and interact with each individual. Through this passionate purpose, I diligently strive to appeal to each learner’s self-worth, and implore each to envision her/his success (whatever it may be). This engagement allows for endless opportunities to: explain, explore, elaborate, evaluate, and repeat said process as necessary. “Once they know you care, then they know they can.” — Erroll L. Franklin, Teach Plus Texas Policy Fellow

… my scholars to be free thinkers, resist assimilation, and to take ownership of their education. — Desiree Yolonda Fuller, Teach Plus Michigan Policy Fellow

… my students to walk with their heads held high and to never see themselves as less than, but more than enough to be that wonderful and beautiful person they are intended to be. — Dr. Teresa Cowan-Fayter, California educator