When Culture Meets The Classroom

This week we celebrate true heroes — TEACHERS!

It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and we’re excited to announce a special partnership in honor of everything educators do. We’ve teamed up with Legends Do Live to help highlight an assortment of educators from HBCU (Historically Black College & Universities) backgrounds. In chatting with 3 educators from the Houston area, we learned a bit about the ways they choose to bring “Culture To The Classroom” – or find ways to ensure their students feel seen and represented – and how going to an HBCU helped influence their teaching style. Peep the vids by following @legendsdolive or @readingwarapper on Instagram, or check them out below:

Ashley Gibson

Howard University Alum & Chef Ashley Gibson (@hilltopcateringhtx) a Culinary Arts Teacher at Eisenhower High School in Aldine ISD in Houston, TX. Ashley tells us about her incredible efforts in bringing leadership and mentorship to our future culinary leaders.

 

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Valencia Dunn

Valencia Dunn (@valicity13) is a Paul Quinn College in Alum. She is the Assistant Varsity High School Girls Basketball Coach at St. Agnes Academy In Houston, TX. Valencia chatted with us about the ways she looks to teach/coach and inspire her girls on and off the basketball court.

 

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Tory Randle 

Tory Randle (@djuan30s) A Prairie View A&M University Alum. Musician and Fort Bend ISD Music Teacher at Heritage Rose Elementary in Houston, TX. Tory told us about his genuine love for music, shown through his dedication for teaching his students to love music in all forms and genres.

 

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We’re ending this special week by welcoming Founder of Legends Do Live and Reading With A Rapper, Jarren Small, to the 50th episode of our Community Voices series. He will discuss Teacher’s Appreciation Week, the importance of championing educators, and the importance of equipping disadvantaged youth through workshop programs and community engagement. Check out the full convo on Friday at 4pm ET on @jdsportsus.