AN ODE TO COACH JOHN THOMPSON, A BLACK EDUCATOR
The late, great John Thompson contributed more than college basketball wins. Much more.
Black educators are incredibly important to the success of Black students.
Black students who have had at least one Black teacher are more likely to graduate from high school, attend college and are less likely to drop out of school. Black students are also less likely to receive exclusionary discipline at the hands of a Black teacher.
However, the impact of Black educators cannot be limited to statistics such as test scores and graduation rates. Our impact is measured by our passion for and commitment to both the craft of teaching and Black lives.
John Thompson Jr. embodied that. It was why he chose a career in working with young people over continuing his career in the NBA.
Black educators enter the education profession to have a profound impact on the lives of Black children. It’s why I am an educator. For us, Black lives more than matter; Black lives are earthen vessels containing hidden treasures we CONTINUE READING: An Ode to Coach John Thompson, a Black Educator - Philly's 7th Ward