Thread by @aaaadams

I am who I am because of 3 strong, black male teachers. An ode to each is below. So much love for the south Phoenix community that raised me & @CenterBlackEd for sharing this student-led movement ♥️
#WeNeedBlackTeachers

https://twitter.com/CenterBlackEd/status/1436094324492705792

I grew up dirt poor in the Puget Sound area of US. There were no people of color in my school for the first 3 years of my schooling. When the KKK started burning crosses in yards of the handful of non-white neighbors, my mom left my dad to come home to AZ where she grew up. 1/5

Mr. Washington, John R. Davis in @RSDNo66: 4th grade & 1st black teacher. His suits were fly, pocket watch punctuated gestures, he paced & preached hope. And he taught me men could be kind, that I was worthy, and held high standards for learning. #WeNeedBlackTeachers 2/5

James Kelson @RSDNo66: middle school principal- 1st black educator I saw in leadership. As a token white kid (was only white kid grades 4-8), taught me to combat bullying via activism by day vs fists after school Joined STUGO cuz he mentored me. #WeNeedBlackTeachers 3/5

Stuart Bailey @SouthMountainHS 9th grade guitar: had quiet fire of strength & taught me to use music to process trauma & angst. My college kid is studying now to be a music teacher because of his love and care for me. #WeNeedBlackTeachers 4/5 🎸

My life has been enriched by each of these black men. I HAD 3 BLACK MALE TEACHERS at pivotal moments of my life! Shouting for the people in the back: We need WAY more educators of color - especially for our students of color. We have lots of work to do. #WeNeedBlackTeachers 5/5

@threadreaderapp rookie threading probs. Would unroll help? 🛼🤘