Every back to school season, there’s so much emphasis on back to school shopping for new outfits and new school supplies. There’s also the much appreciated freedom for parents as kids start a new chapter of adolescence. But it’s also important to remember the teachers! It’s back to school for them, too, after all.
Teaching is hard work, as they have the blessing and the burden of shaping the young minds of tomorrow. Public school teachers often do all this with a lack of funding and resources for their students as fan-favorite Abbott Elementary so eloquently depicts.
In honor of teachers, here’s a look at five Black public school teachers to celebrate.
Alicia Simba
Based in Oakland, California, Alicia Simba teaches transitional kindergarten (which serves as a bridge between preschool and kindergarten) at Prescott Elementary school. Now in her fifth year, she is passionate about sharing her experience as an educator through writing. She has written several think pieces for publications such as Teen Vogue, Slate, EdSource, Blavity News, and more. Her writing has shone a spotlight on the adversities that teachers face from gun violence on campuses, prohibition and censorship of educational materials, as well as inadequate labor conditions.
Ana-Lauren Thorpe
Now in her second year of teaching, Ana-Lauren Thorpe is a kindergarten teacher. She graduated from Stanford in 2023 with her master’s degree in education (with honors). Thorpe is passionate about guiding her students in finding joy in learning and making sure every student finds their place in this world. If you want to support her work in the classroom, check out her classroom registry on Amazon.
Sophia Desanges-Harriott
Sophia Desanges-Harriott, aka Mrs. D, is a pre-K through third grade public school teacher and autism advocate. She is a first-generation Haitian American and an urban district teacher who is passionate about giving her students all the resources they need to have a fun learning environment. Outside of the classroom, she also runs three businesses that focus on education and tutoring.
Tiara Collins
A second year kindergarten teacher, Tiara Collins, is passionate about optimizing her students’ learning experience. Many of her students come from low income families. Collins works at a Title I school, which means her school often lacks in several resources. If you want to support Collins’ work in shaping young minds, donate to her Amazon classroom registry here.
Ms. Berry
Ms. Berry is a fifth grade teacher, a Florida A&M alum, and a Kennesaw State University graduate student. She believes that as an educator, you are always making an impact on your students. So it’s important to bring energy that creates a positive environment for learning.