Post by Teachers in Their Power

(4/9) “Black men make up only about 1.3% of America’s public school teachers. Growing up, I was fortunate to learn from Black male educators who invested in me, challenged me, and helped shape the person I’ve become. They showed me what leadership, service, and consistency looked like long before I ever stepped into my own classroom. Their impact is the reason I chose education. Every lesson I teach, every student I mentor, and every teacher I support is my way of continuing the work they started. I don’t see it as paying them back—I see it as paying their investment forward. I’ve had the opportunity to work with young people in Georgia, Texas, Maryland, and Washington, DC through classrooms, summer camps, and nonprofit organizations. No matter where I’ve served, one thing has remained true: young people thrive when they know someone believes in them. The phone calls from former students, the updates about college, careers, and life—those moments remind me that education is never just about one school year. The influence of a great educator continues long after students leave the classroom. That’s the kind of legacy I hope to leave: one that doesn’t stop with me but lives on through the people I’ve had the privilege to serve.” –Caleb Franklin Teacher at Friendship Public Charter School City Teaching Alliance Fellow, Cohort 2021 Washington, DC #teachersintheirpower #k12education #blackexcellence #mentorship #leadership teachersintheirpower.com