By: Dennis Richmond, Jr.
You have two types of people in the halls of academia: teachers and educators. Teachers get to work late and leave early. Teachers tell kids they can’t go to the bathroom. Baby, some teachers even hate their jobs. Then, you have educators. Educators get to work early and stay late. Their cars are often among the first in the school parking lot in the morning and the last ones out in the afternoon. They call parents to check in, not to complain. Educators earn the trust of the students they teach. I’d know because I’m an educator.
I’ve taught in Yonkers, the Bronx, and Mount Vernon, and in every school I’ve entered, I’ve worked to be an educator. I know I’ve made a difference in the lives of the students I’ve taught. That’s what keeps me going. In a world of artificial intelligence, I remind students that they are smart enough to think for themselves. In a world full of followers, I encourage my students to be bosses. “You’re a boss” is a phrase I say in my classroom all the time.
I didn’t become an educator overnight. I attended Claflin University, an HBCU and my mother, Mrs. Hortena Richmond’s, alma mater. I’m a legacy. After Claflin University, I attended Sarah Lawrence College. Along the way, people like my mother, Mrs. Francina Jubilee-Bauldie, Mr. Gavin Curtis, Professor Patricia Koger, and Mr. Bryan Boyd helped mold me into the educator I am today.
Black men make up a small percentage of teachers in America, especially at the elementary school level. Teaching elementary school isn’t just a job for me. It’s a privilege and a blessing. Having the opportunity to help mold the next generation and knowing that I had a hand in their growth is sometimes hard for me to fathom, but it’s real.
I’m still teaching and it’s for three reasons. First, I love teaching. There’s no other career I’d rather be in. Second, there’s always more to learn. I pick up new ideas for my classroom every day. Finally, kids need to see themselves, too. Yes, parental support matters. Community support matters. But seeing a teacher who looks like you matters just as much.
Good luck to all the educators stepping into another school year in 2026–2027.
Dennis Richmond, Jr. (@NewYorkStakz) is a journalist, historian, and educator from Yonkers, NY. He writes to uplift unheard voices, honor history, and inspire change.