My Experience as the 2019 National Teacher of the Year

I was named National Teacher of the Year in April 2019 by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO).  I had no idea how much my life would change.  In an instant, I was transformed from a classroom teacher to one of the leading voices in education.  It was overwhelming in the beginning but eventually I was able to find my voice. This platform has provided me with the opportunity to advocate for all students and all teachers, especially Black male teachers of color, which make up only two percent of the teacher workforce.

My inaugural event as the 2019 National Teacher of Year was CCSSO’s Washington Week— a collection of events that include everything from a black-tie gala to meeting at the white house. While I knew the opportunity to go to the White House and enter the Oval Office would allow me to honor my enslaved ancestors, it also came with conflicting emotions. From my perspective, the administration was not open nor welcoming to fact that a black male was named national teacher of the year. But through grace, I persevered and represented my community and the prestigious title with honor. 

The most inspiring moment of that week, along with meeting Rep. John Lewis, was the invitation I received to speak to the House of Representatives Democratic Caucus.  This opportunity was made possible by Majority Whip James Clyburn at the behest of 2016 National Teacher of the Year and current US Congresswoman from Connecticut, the Honorable Jahana Hayes and CCSSO. During my time with the Caucus members, I shared the story of one of my favorite students and explained how inadequate political policies, (education funding, gun control, lack of healthcare, etc.) help lead to his incarceration. Soon after I spoke with the Caucus, the House of Representatives added millions of dollars to education funding that had originally been removed in the last budget session. I’m proud to know my student’s experience did not happen in vain, and that this new funding might prevent another student from ending up on same path towards incarceration. 

The success I experienced during Washington Week was the driving force in my desire to make change all year.  It taught me to be unapologetic but powerful in advocating for cultural and economic equity as I traveled to more than 30 states speaking to students, teachers, administrators, parents, and politicians.  My favorite events of this past year were the ones that involved students (college visits, Educators Rising, Teachers for Tomorrow, etc).  It was exciting because the future educators and social justice advocates were excited and full of energy to make a difference.  They had conversations around race, class, gender, sex, and social responsibility, that veteran teachers are not having.  The advice I gave them at every speech was to never lose that passion and sense of social justice.  Teaching is political and you can’t sit on the sidelines as policies and decisions are made that harm any of your students.  It’s your responsibility to use your voice to empower students and other young people to use their voice.  

I look forward to getting back to my passion work, which is helping to recruit more men of color to the field of teaching.  While I will not be working directly with students in classroom settings, I will help to enhance their school experiences through my new role.  I always thought that as a Black male teacher, the most impactful work I could do was in the classroom.  However, after traveling the country and seeing the lack of cultural diversity in board rooms, officers, and at conferences, it’s made me even more steadfast in my commitment to education.  I’ll end with a quote from the Tony Award winning play, Hamilton: “I want to be in the room where it happens.” By it, I mean educational policy, and I will definitely be in that room advocating for my students (who are often forgotten), all students, and all teachers.