Mr. J: Becoming a Black Male Teacher in Baltimore

Students often ask Mr. J why he’s a teacher. They say he just seems too cool. He used to be one of these students - he went to the high school he teaches at today. Back then, being a teacher seemed like the lamest job in the world to him. But now, he’s a testament to the fact that you can indeed be a “cool teacher.”

As Black man in his early thirties, Mr. J knows he’s in a unique position to teach in the predominantly Black community where he was born and raised. Sometimes it’s not just about what’s on the board but the ways that he can be a role model. I wanted to know about the day to day realities of working in a profession known for being underpaid, overworked, and yet, extremely important. He talks about the highs and hardships of his job and he opens up about his own adolescence, sharing his ambitions and the times he’s felt underestimated.

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