DIG DEEP: Conversations with Christian Leaders
DIG DEEP: Conversations with Christian Leaders
Social Inequality in Education Part II
Why does school feel different for everyone? This episode explores how race and socioeconomic status shape the educational experience. From testing challenges to creating more inclusive classroom environments, we dive into the systemic issues that can hinder student success. Join us as Dr. Jaria as I chat with TK Johnson, a middle-school teacher and Christian youth leader, as we discuss how Christian educators and leaders can create a more equitable school environment for all.
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Hey, everybody. Welcome to Dig Deep, Conversations with Christian Leaders. I am your host, Dr. Daria C. Aljo, and I am really, really, really looking forward to our conversation tonight. I'm so looking forward to it because last year at the end of the year, I asked you all, which of the episodes that we did over the year were you looking at or hoping that we would do a part two for? And this happens to be one of the episodes. So the episode is Social Inequality and in education part two. I am so excited to bring on my guests, but before we get to that, let's just explain a little bit about what it means to dig deep. So dig deep is a part of Shania ministries. It is a community of like-minded individuals who are intentional about deepening their relationship with God. We do Bible studies. We have a monthly zoom prayer call, a private Facebook community, all different ways for us to connect with each other as we are holding each other accountable and also helping each other deepen our relationship with God. And so along with that also comes this podcast where I have different conversations with Christian leaders that I'm connected to about a number of different topics, including tonight's topics, including tonight's topic, social inequality and education. So without further to do, let's bring on my guests for this conversation. Please welcome TK. Hi. All right. Yes. Come on technology. We had some issues earlier, but it's looking like we might be okay. So y'all pray in Jesus name. Okay. How are you? How's everything going? I'm well, things are going well. How are you? I am great, great, great. We are gearing up for the semester start. So for those of you that don't know, I work in higher education. So summer we have off. Well, the students have off. I work in senior level administration. So I'm always. Sorry. You understand. Yes. But, you know, we're getting ready to start the school year. When do y'all start? Well, I actually go back to training because I just started a new job. So I go back to training next week. I mean, not all. Right. Next week. Yeah. Enjoy the last few days of summer for you, friend. Yes. Yes. I'm trying. I am really, really thankful that you said yes to coming on to the show to talk about this topic. I can't wait to get into these questions. Thank you for having me. I'm excited. Thank you for the invitation. Absolutely. Absolutely. Well, listen, why don't you tell our listeners a little bit about who you are, what you do and about your journey to becoming an educator? Sure. So my name is Terrell Johnson, Terrell K. Most people know me as TK. so I am in the education field which I think is a bit obvious right but um I wasn't always like I've always had a passion for children um working in church ministry you know I was a sunshine band president leader for years before I even got to the education field And so I was in banking, I think, for like three years. I worked with some boys and girls club, you know, dibble dabble. And then I was like, you know, I felt something was missing. My mom was in education for about 50 years. Well, 40 years. And so she finally I was like, I don't want to be a teacher. So the Lord kind of just created something in me that kind of sparked love for children. I was like, what is that? Where did that come from? And so you know after being in banking I was like you know when the children would come I'd be so excited then when they leave I'm like oh you know like man you know so I was like okay this is so this is something bigger than me so I looked into it and then I started working into the education field I left the career banker and went into education and have been going full force since then and so it's been rewarding um I've have kids that have kids now so it's just it's a little weird but oh god I love that I love that from banking to education you know you and I share um the same thought of my aunt would always call me when I was an undergrad and I was um studying business she was like you know jaria you really, like, I just feel like you should be a teacher. And I was like, no, it's nothing. I don't want to do that. I'm all set. And now, you know, while I don't teach full-time, I do teach part-time and I absolutely love it. I love teaching college age students. How old are your students typically that you were teaching? well I started out with high school kids oh god crazy thing and I was in like the inner city where it was just like I was actually at one of the schools that was an alternative school and so I had the little thugs, you know, the ones that they threw away. And so, yeah, so I started, I literally got put into the trenches early. And so then I bounced around from early child care to elementary, middle. Now I'm in middle, but high school was my very first. So I've had all of them. High school was my first. Would you say that, and we're going off script here, but would you say that middle school students now are very different or more similar to like high school students back in the day? Because I feel like middle schoolers and even children in elementary school are growing so much faster as far as like socially. So would you say that you've seen the same? I agree wholeheartedly, you know, I'm thinking about their, environment and what they have to deal with socially, even in the home. They're forced to grow up faster. So yeah, middle schools are definitely the new high schoolers. Wow. That feels very challenging for me. I'm not a parent yet, but I have friends who are parents. And we talked about her daughter, who's in elementary school, but some of the things that she's into and wants to do are things that you see middle school and high school students wanting to do. And we're like, whoa, whoa, whoa. Like what, what is going on? What's happening there? That's really interesting that you're also seeing that in the classroom. Yeah. Yeah. It sucks. Honestly, I don't like it, but you know, you just meet them where they are. Right. Right. Right. And try and help them. And, you know, also too, I think with the parents as well, cause I'm sure the parents are some parents I would say are probably around your age, maybe a little bit younger, older. So, Like that's loaded because some of them are younger. Some of them are my age, but then there's some, like, I have some parents that I met now who are like, we went to high school, like we went to high school together. And I was like, wow. Like, you know, so it's like, that's kind of like, okay, we're the new parents. It's so weird. But there are some parents who have like, who are younger, you know, started younger and like, who are, um, then we have grandparents that are raising them and just have no clue so it's kind of like it's mixed right right right let's get into our official questions I'm done going off script for now let's get into our official questions for the evening um so how does social inequality manifest in education systems today so you know thinking of the word social inequality right you're it's really the existence of unequal opportunities and if you go to any inner city school you'll see that the curriculum is either too low or the books are torn apart or they're not what you would typically prefer your child to experience in education or in their schools and so um honestly it's almost I'm not even gonna get emotional I don't even know why why that would be a thing. Well, I know why. But it's also, it's emotional to me because if you were to go to a school out in the suburb or the suburban area, and I know we don't like to really talk about that, but unfortunately it is our reality, right? Like you go to a suburban area, you're going to have nicer books. You're going to have a nicer gym. You're going to have on top of the line, you even have a gym where you can work out and play basketball. You know, they're separate, but When you go to an inner city school, that's not the same. And so honestly, recognizing those things, it affects our children in a way because they don't think that they can do the impossible anymore. So the effect is the child. The effect is the parent. The effect is society. Because not only is the school system kind of unequal, the society society is unequal meaning especially in the black communities we don't push education in our inner city like we should and so that plays a role in our children's education I have children in middle school now who would tell me I don't need to do this I don't need to learn this I'm gonna be I'm gonna be a hairstylist I don't care and I'm just like you do realize that you need to know how to count your money though right like that's algebra may not be the end-all be-all for your, you know, math, you know, mathematic skills, but you still need to know how to count. You need to know how to subtract. You need to know how to devise. So you got to know how to properly problem solve. And so they don't, they don't, they don't have those morals. They don't have that, that, that care. They don't, they don't care. And so it's, it's manifested so much so to now where people are just nonchalant about it. They care more about BBLs than they do education. Let's talk about that. You know, how do you get young people, middle schoolers, how do you get your students excited about learning? Right. Like you talked about, OK, the students are like, I don't need to know why A squared plus B squared equals C squared because I'm going to be a hairdresser. I'm going to be a nail tech. but it's also like you brought up, you know, but you do need to know how to like count your money and tips, someone tipping you correctly. Like that's percentages, that type of thing. How do you get middle schoolers excited to learn and also connecting their parents as well? It's hard. I might've been, I mean, honestly, It's hit or miss sometimes. And I say this not as to come to speak of from a point of defeat, not defeated by any means, but if anything, it creates more so of a strategy that has to be implemented on how to approach each parent differently, because some parents don't care. they don't care. And so when you, it's like you get the child on board, like, you know, you talk to them, okay, what do you want to do? Well, I want to do this, or I want to be a teacher. Okay. Don't know why you want to do that. No, I'm just kidding. But you know, like, oh, really? Okay. So here's the thing. If you want to know, if you want to be a teacher, you have to be very well, you have to be well-versed in, first of all, in education, you have to know how to speak. You have to know how to communicate and you can't get frustrated every time someone disagrees with you. So you have to know how to problem. So, you know, so talking with them about problem solving, about how to properly communicate when they're frustrated. You don't have to cuss every other word when you're when you're angry. You can just say, you know what, you're really annoying me. I'm going to walk away before I hurt you. If that's your feeling, that's your feeling. Express that feeling, but do so in a manner to where you're still getting your point across without coming out of character and teaching them that you have to know how to read. A lot of kids don't like reading. I was just going to say, I'm sorry to interject here, but I was just going to say the reading scores nationally across the board in the US are declining. It's terrifying to me because I, I remember as a kid, every summer you would have a list of, you have a blank list and you have to write down like, here's the books that you have to read. And if you get the certain number of books, y'all get a pizza party. And then, you know, you read these books, like, and they have, I think like it was called like book it or something like Google book. And if you're listening to Google book it, or if you remember, you know, shout out to you. But it is terrifying to me to think about, you know, as an educator. So shifting from middle school to now what that looks like on college campuses. I have students that do not know how to write emails. They don't know how to write in general. You've got children that don't know how to do sort of reading comprehension at the age level and at the grade level that they should. Like that to me is terrifying. Yep. And these are our next adults, our next peers. Preferably, we have a doctor or two. But these are our next generation that, I mean, don't care about anything but nails, hair, and wrapping. And that's it. And my goddaughter is 16. She'll be 17 in February. And a couple of years ago I was talking to her about, okay, you know, high school's coming up. And then like after that, what are you going to do? And she had gone from, wanting to, I think, do hair, do nails, which I was fully supportive of as someone who works in higher education. I'm like, listen, college is not for everybody and that's okay. You don't need to go to college to be successful. Right. Um, so I had said to her like, okay, if you want to, you know, own your own nail salon or just do nails, like that's totally fine, but let's get on a plan. Let's get a plan. Let's get some goals in place. And so now to see her go from that to being excited about potentially going to college, she's talking about different schools that she wants to go to. It's great and amazing. But again, I get back to, okay, but we have to set some goals. There are requirements that you have to meet. in order to accomplish this goal or in order to sort of do the things that you want to do. And so I find it so challenging for her to just motivate her to do something. I think that's where I'm seeing a lot of lack of motivation in like middle school students and high school age students. Yeah, absolutely. And truthfully, it can start as early as elementary. Like, you know, depending on, it goes back to that home. And this really touches on the third question. Yes, yes, yes. In essence, you know, but I was trying to wait. No, no, no, don't worry. But it definitely, because to the point of your third question, which is, how does education inequality perpetrate the social and economic inequality across generations? Hmm. so perpetuate I'm sorry perpetuate excuse me I'm a wordy so I don't I don't like getting words wrong okay so um it starts at home it starts at home and the reason why I say that is because I've had children come to me and this is seven o'clock 7 30 in the morning first thing they're talking about is I got, I got four bands. I got five bands. I got racks. I got this. Hey, you're failing right now. And you're showing me how many bands you have. There's a problem. What do you want to do? You got it. I said, I get it. I'm all for you making money as long as you don't have to run away from every cop you see to do so. Right. But you have to think about, and I'm talking, I'm like, you got to think about the law, law, What do you want to do in the long run? Oh, I want to be a lawyer. Wow. Okay. Let's work with that. So I'm grooming him at school to properly become a lawyer. But then you have home. When he leaves our presence, he goes home. Home is throwing money, rapping every song they hear, or cussing and drugs and pushing drugs and selling them. the concept doesn't match his home and so then that's where you have a battle how can I help and that's one of the things that I'm I'm torn with and I've even had like we've had a class at the elementary school that I worked at last we had um uh a system or a school if you will in place for parents on how to properly know when your child is struggling how to help them how to push them how to encourage them and they get like they go through this process you go to like four classes then you pass you get a certification different things like that so it was a whole thing but in those classes we were able to tell them hey your child some our children don't know how to read and they don't care to learn how Maybe you should start pushing them to read something or read a book every night before they go to bed or read something with them to get them excited about reading to let them know that this is something fun that you can do. But if that home doesn't match the standards of education in the school system or the teachers that care, because even the teachers, even some of us have to do things differently based upon the district we're in because some of these school districts do not care. and so sometimes we have to create our own curriculum and curve things a little bit to meet them where they are so that everything's not going over their head right and I didn't get to the other one so but nevertheless it ties together but you have it's a battle but if that home doesn't produce morals and standards to what a real citizen I'm not saying rapping is negative or I'm not saying oh you shouldn't be a rapper if that's what you choose to do okay I'm hoping that you're rapping about something fundamental or something that's that's positive we have enough negative rap right I'm not saying that everybody that there's some people that can't be a rapper some people can't do hair hairstylist can't be a hairstylist some people can't do nails I'm saying everybody can't do it somebody has to do the hard work but because we're in a society now where everything has to come quickly and come fast We're stuck with what we have right now. So it's a whole, it's an unraveling effect because you reveal one problem that unleashes another one. It reveals another one. It reveals another one. And then it just, it's just, it leaves us educators like, if we gain one, if we lose one, we cry. Those that really care, we cry. We hold on and hope that they'll catch on eventually. But it's a battle. I hope that makes sense. But it was just it's a burden. Yeah, it makes sense. It's you know, you talked about when the home life is not matching or connected to the concept of what's being taught in classes and, you know, it's in my mind, I'm thinking about that reinforcement. Like you can do everything that you can in the classroom to push reading, to push, you know, math, social studies, whatever the case may be. But if they go home and that stuff is not being then reinforced in the home, it's like you go home and everything is just kind of in one ear and out the other for school. And the instant gratification is so challenging. I think for all generations right now, I was just telling a friend of mine how convenient it was for me to go to my local grocery store online and shop online and have the groceries ready and prepared for me to be picked up after I was done running my errands on a Saturday, because I just felt like I didn't really have time to go into the grocery store. So I can just log in online, have my groceries instantly. It's done. I don't have to think about it. Great. And so I think a lot of times students and parents if they do end up coming to college, they want jobs before they graduate. They want to be making six figures once they get out from undergrad. And sometimes you have to tell the students, realistically speaking, that's not always going to happen. And also you have to really put in the work and it's working with the parents. And so it sounds like it's a challenge or it can be a bit of a challenge in working with the parents at home too, because certainly you can't tell a parent how to parent, but you also, I think, want to help the parents understand, like, we're working in partnership. Like, how do you balance that as we talk about, you know, inequality across generations? You're working with, I think, students that have parents and potentially have grandparents that all kind of grew up, um, so maybe not, um, not really valuing education the way that maybe three, four, five generations prior to them would. And so how do you help parents to understand, you know, I kind of need you all to partner with me in helping your child, my student succeed? Well, you have to, obviously there's a conversation that needs to be had, right? But you have to know how. to talk to parents because every parent is not gonna meet you where you are so sometimes you have to just be considerate um and not be judgmental when speaking to them right like I've had parents I've had admin tell me like you know this parent is is this way you may want to watch your back I'm not concerned right because I'm not it's not in a way of Oh, they can get it. That's not what I'm saying. It's more so in the way that I've had enough challenges with parents to where I know how to meet a person where they are, regardless of whatever their situation is. And so some parents, you really have to say, I know I can tell that you're a parent that does a lot, you know, for your child. You're striving to do this, striving to do that. I just want to talk to you because I don't think you know. Maybe you don't know. Maybe you do know. This is where they are. Right. And just being real with them and letting them know your baby can't read. I give this to them. I give them and they don't have a desire to. If they know that because I've had parents tell me, well, they come, you know, I send them to school to get an education. If you know, I'm trusting that you guys are doing what you're doing. And I say, yeah, we're trying. But their educate their their desire is not there. They tell me they don't care. And then they're like, wait, what? Then we on board. Right. But if you have a parent that says, look, I send them to do I send them to school. I don't care what happens. I don't care if you don't get it. That's him. Then what do you do? You're just like, OK, well, I was really hoping you can be on board with me because I think you really have the influence. But some of these parents don't have influence. over their child. And so it's like one of those where it's just like you kind of have to figure out what you're dealing with to know how to have a conversation if a conversation is needed to be had. Because some parents really don't care. I've had parents come up to me, YouTube famous, if you will, and their son is in kindergarten, excuse me, kindergarten. They're in the kindergarten level, right? But they're wanting to come to my class to talk to my students about being successful by YouTube. No, it's okay. I think you should start with your son first. Then you can come, maybe, right? But the parents are not always going to be right on that level where you can have a conversation. So you have to first see if that parent is able to have a conversation, if it's worth having that conversation. If it's not, your best bet is working with that child and see what comes of it. Because sometimes they're the biggest, they're the ones that can make the difference before the parent can. Oh, it's, you know, I say this all the time and I mean it genuinely to educators, elementary school, middle school, high school, just the amount of work that you all do, the passion that so many educators that I've met have for their students and their student success, and just listening to the different obstacles and challenges that you all face. I'm just so thankful that you all are still, and you all that are listening that are educators, teachers, I'm just so thankful that you all are still doing this work. Because there has to be some good that comes out of this. And I know that there is. And we will certainly talk about that in a moment, sort of as we end the show, because I do want to end on a more positive note. But I do think for all the challenges and obstacles that are happening, I'm thankful for educators like yourself that know the importance of being in the classroom and not just educators, but also a Christian educator. We didn't really get a chance to talk about it at the top of the show, but if you could share with the listeners a little bit about who you are sort of in the church. So if you're watching online, you see the title is Chairlady TK Johnson. And so some folks might not be familiar with what that means. So can you just tell us a little bit about who you are as a Christian leader? Yeah. Sure. So, well, that's accurate. I appreciate that because some people do not know. So I am a actually in my local church. I am a missionary. I am the children's department president. I work with the little babies at home and I am a youth chairlady. Just means I'm a youth leader over a lot of youth that are under my bishop. That's pretty much it. Right. Like I'm a youth leader. I'm a youth leader. But I have a passion for people in general. So souls, it doesn't matter the age. I'm just excited to better serve them. I love that. Love that. I do have some folks. So I'm always just like, you know, if you know, you know, you know, you can't be you can't join and you got to be born in. But if you don't know that, you know. I'll explain. So when we think about Christianity, we think about being a Christian educator and also a Christian leader. How can churches and Christian educators play a role in closing the achievement gap in education? That one was one of the ones that stumped me a bit. And not because it's difficult, but it is multifaceted, right? So that's one of the ones that that's loaded because it can go anywhere from a ministry supporting a parent by encouraging them to be active in their child's education career, right? Like if that means, hey, go support your child during their game. You never know how much that can affect the child in the school. If they don't have that support at all, it kind of alters their confidence in other areas, right? So a ministry pushing a parent to say, no, you be at that child's game or you be at that child's spelling bee. You go, if they have teacher conferences, go. You know, it's okay. You're not gonna sin or be a backslider if you miss a service. Like having that support from a ministry pushes that, but then also incorporating educational things in church. High Scholastical Motivation or like Spelling Bee or like Bible Bowl. Or if you get the highest, if I get a child from the ministry, you get all A's, we'll give you $10 each A. We'll give you $5 for every A you get. That kind of encourages them and the parent because then it offers support to a parent who's doing all they know how, right? But then it offers that balance to say, you know what? OK, they're there. That's going to do great because other kids is like money is like money is the end all be all for children. Typically, like they see money, they hear money. They're so like, OK, what you need to do. OK, cool. And it's not like I'm asking you to mow the lawn because some children are lazy. They just don't like labor. I mean, you know. It's better than that. So I don't have to do any manual labor. All I have to do is work towards getting it. Okay, cool. I made an agreement with one of my preteens at the church. If you do better in school, you turn your attitude around. you know we may work something out where you can get something off of amazon let's see right and so he worked towards that and he reminded me I forgot he reminded me he's like so all right let me let me check to make sure because you know sometimes I don't know you kind of you swindle your way through things so I don't know if you're telling me the truth his parents said no he's been doing really well so I'm like you know what and then you have to hold up your end of the bargain Because if you promise these children things, you promise these parents things, and then you judge them or you do the opposite, they're going to remember that. And you're going to lose a family and you're going to lose souls and you're going to lose that influence that you have over those, you know, with those people. So that's just a few ways that ministry can go hand in hand with education. But there's fun ways to do it. It's not hard. I absolutely love that because I would have been that kid that's like $10 for an A at my class. Sign me up, please. Yeah. Yes, absolutely. We'll do that. You know, I love a good competition. Even if you were to split, you know, the boys versus girls, like of the boys and girls, who has the higher GPA, right? So trying to build a community and them all holding each other accountable. Right. And so I love that it's something where it's fun, but also manageable and practical. You know, I was on a panel discussion the other day and we were talking about how to connect to Gen Z and younger generations. And I said, you know, one of the things that we as a church have to do is we have to model accountability. If we are wrong, we have to say, you know, I apologize. I was wrong. This is what I did. But as you mentioned, too, if you say that, OK, I'm going to allow you to buy something off of Amazon, you just have to turn your attitude and your grades around. And then, like you said, you forgot. But that student, that person did not. And so if they come back to you and say, hey, you know, you said you're going to do this. Hold yourself accountable. Right. Yeah. That accountability with them. I think that goes an incredibly long way, especially as a Christian leader. And like you said, you work with so many young people. And so I think even when you don't know it, young people are watching you as a Christian leader and they're watching what you do, what you say and what you don't do. So I do think that's incredibly important when you mentioned about being accountable and making sure that, you know, you're making it fun for them as well. Yeah, I love it. I love it. I love egging him on like, you know, he got more to you, you know, like what? Right, right. Yeah. I listen, I, to this day, I'm such a competitor. I love healthy competition. Um, yeah, it's, and I think, I think young people will really buy into that. I mean, it's, there's so many great things that you could do out there to really encourage young people to read. You know, we talked about the reading scores, um, and then the reading comprehension and that sort of thing being on the decline. But as a church, like you said, we could offer scholastic programs and services and initiatives. And so we can do these sort of things that maybe we grew up on or things that we know that are working in other areas. We can certainly do that as a church and as a youth ministry as well. Absolutely. Absolutely. When it comes to the classroom environment, right, like thinking of the different students that you have and the different backgrounds and just lived experiences that they have. And also, you know, you mentioned earlier about working in inner city schools and the difference there between schools in the suburbs. I'm curious to know about how can educators create a more inclusive and equitable learning environment for students from these multiple diverse different backgrounds? Yes. Absolutely. And I love this part because, you know, I'm excited about educating educators because this is technically what that is. This is almost like, what do we call those? I've been out of work a little while, but what we call those the mandatory meetings, the trainings. You know, no. What do they call? Oh, Lord. The teachers, they used to have it every Wednesday at my school, in high school. Yes. Y'all know what we're talking about. You know. You got to spit that extra hour. But no. So this is what that reminds me of. But no. So for the first step for educators, and I made a few notes. I'm an avid note taker. So if you see me looking down, it's because I made notes. OK? so um the first step for me um looking and this is from an educator looking out you know looking in and looking out um the educator or the teacher has to remember why they're doing what they're doing like why are you here why did you originally take this job or agree and accept this position right you have people educators who've been here for 25 years and now every kid to them is a number once a child becomes a number to you then it's time to switch to do something different because now your passion is not the same right so the first the first step is to creating that inclusive in the equitable um environment is to remember why why you're doing what you're doing and then two to be unbiased and unjudgmental you cannot be You cannot be judgmental. You cannot prejudge a child. You cannot be biased to the child who is advanced compared to every other child, right? You have to be fair. So that creates a leveled playing field in your classroom to give every scholar an opportunity. So if you're coming in remembering why you're doing what you're doing, You're coming in remembering. You're ridding yourself of every biasness. You're also making sure that you're fair and that you're creating an environment where each one can have an opportunity and not call on the one who you know knows the word. Call on someone who may struggle with the word. That way, that gives them an opportunity to build their confidence in an area that they may be struggling in. And if you have scholars that are laughing or that think it's humorous, you encourage them that this is a safe environment. everybody's safe I'm safe you're safe there is no laughing because if one and this is a quote that I use all the time a saying that I use a slogan that I use all the time with all of my kids if one fail we all fail so if you're laughing at them you're laughing at yourself right so that's really the to me that's that's that's the top of the that that's the the foundation of how you create that environment you cannot do you cannot create an environment that is fair without biases, without these things, if that makes sense. Yeah, no, that makes perfect sense. I took some notes. So remembering your why, super important. I think if you become jaded in a job, I agree with you, like it's even before you become jaded, like you can kind of feel yourself getting to that point. You're doing an injustice to every single student and parent that you meet. If you are there, it's time for you to move on. And that's OK. The second thing you mentioned was being unbiased and nonjudgmental and then also being fair. And I'm hearing, you know, being intentional about creating a positive environment in the classroom. I can remember, you know, I used to love, I still do love to read. And I loved reading out loud in class because I felt comfortable reading. I can't imagine, you know, the child that maybe has a speech impediment or maybe doesn't read as well. I can't imagine how nerve wracking and anxiety inducing it must be to read out loud in class. And so to be able to have your teacher, you know, sometimes call on you and not in a mean way, not picking you out, but knowing that, look, Like you said, if one fails, we all fail. We're all here to help each other, to support each other. And so I do think that that does lend itself to a more inclusive classroom environment and also help students to learn and to feel comfortable, which is the most important thing. You talked about it earlier where some of our students, especially students in inner city schools, are facing so many unbelievable challenges outside of the school. that for some of them, school is their safest place. School is the place where they get a meal. They have positive relationships because when they leave the school, we don't know what they're walking into, what they're going back home to. And so it's so important for me as an educator. I try my best to make sure that I create a positive classroom environment. And I'm very upfront about that with my students the first day of class. Listen, there's going to be people here that say things that you don't like. We're here to have a healthy discussion. You can share your opinions. People do not have to agree with them, but you do have to respect what other people are saying in a way that you don't agree and you can say that. But that's it. Like, we're not getting personal. We're not attacking people. This is the college setting. People are going to challenge your beliefs. That is what this is all about. They're going to challenge your value system. That is what growing in this mindset is about. but you will not disrespect one another. Like that's where I draw the line. So I'm very, very intentional about creating a positive classroom environment as well. I love that. That has to be an interesting dynamic for you. Listen, it's, you know, because you have, like you talked about earlier, I have students that have come from Very well, well-off families come from the suburbs. Their lives experiences are very different than my students that come from New York City and Brooklyn and Manhattan and, you know, Bridgeport even. And trying to get them all on sort of the same footing, if you will, to provide any additional supports, knowing that the achievement gap is so vast for some of them. that they might never be on the same footing. And it's just a matter of I'm going to have to provide more support for this particular student with this background. And that's just the way things are. Um, and, and I, and I do so knowing that as a Christian, um, we have some conversations where my beliefs are challenged in the classroom. But I'm paid to teach, right? I'm not paid to talk to my students about, I'm not shy. They know I'm going to Holy Convocation in November. Y'all don't text me, don't email me, don't buy me nothing. They know that, but I have to, there's a fine line and a fine boundary that I have to walk. And so in an election year, incredibly challenging because we have these conversations and things are coming up and it's really just learning and helping students to figure out how to facilitate and effectively communicate in those instances. Like you said earlier, if you have a student that's, you know, upset with someone, don't cuss them out. You're annoying to me right now. I don't agree with you. And we're just going to end the conversation there. And that's real life. That is adulthood. I sat at a meeting one day and was like, well, I disagree with you. And that's where we're at. So. Yeah. Yeah. Love that. Listen, as we get ready to wrap up, because it is six o'clock. I can't. This happens all the time. And I'm just like, oh, it's we're at our time already. Well, technically, our technical difficulties kind of ran us past five. I mean, so. Technically, there is some wiggle room because of that. I like the way you're thinking. In all fairness. I like the way you're thinking. If we're talking about being fair and being equitable, I agree. Oh, goodness. I agree. Let's see. So is there anything like any, let's say like two nuggets of wisdom that you would want to give to the Christian educator who is in a school, in a classroom, You know, knowing that there are a lot of topics, especially topics that will be talked about a lot more, there'll be a lot more prevalent with this national presidential election coming up. Any nuggets of wisdom for Christian educators on how to navigate conversations around these topics that are maybe potentially different than what our Christian convictions are? You know, give me time to think about this one. So for this one, you know, I would honestly say the scripture comes to mind to be harmless as a dove or wise as a serpent, right? So knowing that every conversation doesn't require your opinion. Knowing when to say things, when not to, because some people really just look for an argument. And then knowing if someone asks your opinion, stand firm on that. You can stand firm on your beliefs without being harsh, without being abrasive, without being dogmatic. If anything, you state your claim and leave it at that. And if they want to go back and forth, as Dr. J said here, I disagree with you. We can end it at that, right? And then being okay with having lunch by yourself or being by yourself. You know, there in the work environment, I've had myself in work environments where they talk about everything under the sun except for God and church sometimes. And I'm just like, my gates, like I have to guard my gates. Because one thing about it, some of these conversations that we are hearing gets in and then we're wondering how or why it creeps up later because we're not guarding our gates or we feel like, oh, well, they're nice, so maybe we should still just sit in the same environment. No, it's okay to steal away and just go to your office or go to your room and eat alone or go to another office that's secluded from everyone else so that you can have that quiet time when everything else is compromising to what you're accustomed to. We're talking about saints in the educational field now. I'm not talking about, you know, I'm not saying be standoffish. If there's an opportunity for you to encourage someone or you feel led to stay in that environment in that moment, sure. When it comes to protecting you, your gates and your peace of mind and you got it, you have to steal away because it's important for your peace. So, yeah. I 100% agree. There are certain individuals where I know if I have to work with them, I have to work with them, right? That is just what it is. However, working with someone does not mean I need to spend any unnecessary time with them. Right. And so if I know for my own convictions, my own soul salvation, that I'm not going to spend additional time with this person or. you know, sit around and go out to happy hour with everybody after work. And not that there's anything wrong with that. I, this is my own personal convictions. These are things that I feel, um, might, might put me in a place where my salvation will be compromised. And so if I know that about myself, um, and feeling comfortable enough to just be like, yeah, no, I'm all set. No, thank you. Um, feeling comfortable enough, like you said, to be the person where, you know, I'm just going to eat in my office or find a quiet place secluded alone by myself, but not also isolate yourself, not being standoffish. I can still certainly greet people and develop working relationships. I think just knowing the difference between working relationships. And I think sometimes people blur their lines with that in friendships. Certainly I have friends that I've met from work. But there are other people where I'm just like, this is a work relationship and that is all that it will be. And I'm good with that. Yep. Absolutely. Yeah. Perfectly stated. Yeah. It's, you know, I'm, I'm, do you watch Abbott elementary at all? Yes. I love that show. I'm sorry. No, no, no, no. Because see, so I'm trying. So I have a friend of mine, her husband works in education, but I can't watch the show. He can't watch it because it's too close to like, Oh yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I had that. I had that experience. But once that admin was the Lord moved them, then yeah. felt I was a little more free to watch because it is triggering. Like when you're in something, it is very triggering. You feel like, you know what? Uh-uh, because it just made me mad. You're like, let me just turn this off. But I have watched it after. Thank God that I'm out of that season. After that season, I was able to watch it. And I was like, okay. And then she became less of a villain because the actual villain in my life was gone. So Ava wasn't really the villain anymore. She was rejecting. I watched the show. I have not seen, I guess would be the season finale. I'm a little bit tired of Janine and Gregory in this back and forth. They make me so stranded. Like just put them together already. What is the problem? I truthfully, I'm a big like television and film person. And there are so many TV shows, sitcoms at that, where there's this will-they-won't-they back and forth. I think that of all of the TV sitcoms that I've seen, of all of the will-they-won't-they relationships, this one genuinely doesn't make sense to me. Because every time they had an opportunity to be together, they didn't for the most ridiculous reasons. Yep. Outside shows, too. I think like the last reason was, Oh, like we work together. That's a legitimate reason to me. Like I get it. You don't buy the hand that feeds you like totally understand that. But everything before that was like, what? Yeah. Yeah. Just watch the finality for the finality. Jesus. Watch the finale for the sake of saying you watched it, but it is upsetting. Okay. I just brace yourself. I just, I, if ever Quinta ever sees this, I know she don't care. She's already told the people she's doing what she wants. But just so she knows. Right. Personally. And just like, just either y'all together or y'all not. Right. I want to be together. I feel like they should at least explore it. Especially when she went to the district, that was a perfect opportunity. It really was. Now I will say that, like, I kind of like, what was it in the district? It was Manny. yes I've you know hurt me but he never said anything I was like forget manny forgive me but then it kind of helped gregory like realize like no I don't want nobody else talking to her which is just ridiculous ain't that how they do them yes they need to see that they need to see that there are options but they're not the only one then they went all of a sudden like oh you know I always you know like Just stupid. Now you now stop. Stop it. I might. I'll have to let you know if I end up watching. I've not watched it. And I've been pretty adamant about not doing so because I'm just it's my silent protest. I understand. She is concerned about my little one view on my Disney Plus that I share with my family. Like she's not concerned. um but in my mind I'm I'm fighting the good fight right well she knows I want her and I'm like lord this her her dreams god right this is for the people the greater good right before we end though um can you just talk to us a little bit about um there's an organization that you started and I don't know if, um, if you're still continuing with it, but can you tell us a little bit about your, is it a nonprofit technically? It is. Yes. Great. Great. Can you tell us a little bit more about that? Yeah. So it's called repair of the breach initiative. Um, and we do podcasts similar to yours. We have those conversations. Um, Obviously, things have been very busy for me lately. And so I haven't been able to really sit down and do a lot of them. But we also get out into the community. We help churches bridge gaps and reach the communities that they're in, that sometimes the community don't even know that they exist, right? So we kind of help bridge that gap. We volunteer our services to help feed the hungry. We donate food, clothes, whatever we can do, we find our ways, our hands doing it. And we've even had a conference last year, no, two years ago now, I think. And so it was frightening, but God ordained for sure. Definitely heavy on the frightening, but God ordained, heavier on the God ordained. And so, yeah, we're looking to get back up and going. We have our website in the works still, apparel coming out still. So it's a lot of things that we're doing, but I have to, I'm not good at delegating. So I'm doing a lot of those things on my own. And so people, my close people are fussing at me about this to that, fussing about that, fussing at me about that to this day. So I just, y'all pray my strength in the Lord with that. But yeah, so. I love that. That's amazing. Yeah, the conference. That's a whole different podcast episode. We won't get into it. But like you said, heavier on the God ordained life. So but kudos, kudos to you. Stick with it. And yes, we're going to help. Hold you accountable because we talked about that earlier on the show. So with this, listen, tell us how we can connect with you and how we can stay in touch with you. And then once we are done with that, if you would mind, if you would not mind, if you would say a word of prayer, just especially for Christian educators, as you all get ready to go back into the schools. And do you have an Amazon like wishlist? Like, do you do that? I don't. really I probably should but I don't I i probably should because we are like we do new things especially this bad department but yeah I should probably create one huh you should I feel like you should create one before I post this live which will be I'll get you the exact date I feel like you should create one so I can put notes uh but yeah I feel like you should do that yes okay Yeah, definitely. Well, let us know how to stay connected with you. Sure. So, um, Facebook, my full name, Terrell, T E R R I L K Johnson. Um, if you would like to connect to the repair of the breach initiative, we also have a page on Facebook. I don't repair the breach, um, initiative. I believe it is our repair of the breach initiative, um, on Facebook. Um, I'm one, Instagram as well. TKJTKAYJ on Instagram. And we'll just, you know, be there doing whatever the Lord tells us to do. There you go. I love it. I love it. Thank you so much for coming on. Absolutely. Listen, I, like I said, I get the ideas for the episodes and then, you know, God places people on my heart and I'm like, Oh yeah, my friend is an educator. Ain't she? Yes, absolutely. um my name friend I know oh my god so that's how so let me tell y'all this is how I feel like we were just walking around the women's convention and I think you complimented me on just me or something maybe my clothes I don't remember but I was like a girl's girl like love that absolutely love love love everything about someone who will just like I love what you're wearing. Like your glasses are very cute. And it just throughout the rest of the week. Yes. Absolutely. Absolutely. Love, love, love that. So happy to be connected to you. If you wouldn't mind, if you could please pray for, pray us out. But if your prayer could focus on teachers and specifically Christian educators. And then once you are done, I'm going to give a couple of, I feel so churchy, couple of quick announcements. So y'all stay tuned after the prayer and we'll say an official goodbye. So TK, we're in your hands. Sure. Lord, we thank you for this opportunity. We thank you for this podcast. We thank you for Dr. A even giving her this insight and her being willing to work what you have given her to work. God, we thank you for every person who has agreed to work with her, given the vision you have given her. God, we ask you to bless educators all over, God, especially the Christian educators, the educators who are striving to live for you and serve you. in education. God, give us the will and desire to stand boldly on what you have instilled in us. God, help us to be the light in the world that is so dim. Help us to be an encouragement and even a parent or a mother or a mother figure or a light to families, a light to the students that we serve. God, help us to stand boldly when the admins may want to instill something that we don't care about. God, help us not to hold just to the position, but God, but let us be flexible to do what you're calling us to do, even if that means moving due to something not being aligned with your word. Help us to be bold in your stance. In Jesus' name, God, we ask you to bless every educator or whatever they may need financially. God, bless them in a special way, financially in a special way, even in benefits. God, let there be an increase. God, let the favor of you rest upon educators that are following your word. In Jesus' name, we pray and we thank you for it. and bless the educators, students, and their children, wherever an educator's child may go. God, cover them and keep them. We come against mass shootings in this school, and we come into the new school year. We come against mass fires. We come against any type of harm that may come against your children, come against your people. In Jesus' name we pray. Thank God and amen. Amen. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much, my friend. It was a pleasure chatting with you. Let's see. Okay. So before I let y'all go for real, for real, for real, I sound like my mom. Now she says that all the time. Let me get off this live. You know that we have the Dig Deep Conference coming up in October. It is October 4th and October 5th. Thank you. Thank you for the handclaps. I'm so excited. Women of the Word registration is open now, currently, right this second. If you go to the website, jereaseyaljo.org slash Dig Deep Conference, you can actually just register today. You can join us in person in Bridgeport, Connecticut, or you can join us virtually online. We hope to see you there either way. We've got three different tiers. We've got three different workshop topics. We are going to talk about effective evangelism strategies in 2024, discipleship in every season, remaining consistent in every season, and then navigating your call to mission. So this year, the focus is evangelism, missions, and discipleship. We are coming together as women and men to who desire to deepen their relationship with God. That is on Friday, October 4th. We start with the worship service at 7 p.m. And then Saturday morning, we have our workshops followed by our Women Celebrating Women brunch. We're going to be honoring a Christian community advocate, a Christian leader, and a Christian entrepreneur. You will not want to miss this because if you do, you will be missing out. You absolutely need to be a part of this. I hope to see you in October in the city of Bridgeport or virtually. Uh, otherwise take care, have a great rest of your evening, morning, whatever it is that you are watching or listening to this. Thank you for listening to the podcast, watching the Facebook live, uh, and make sure that you stay connected with me. It's Jaria C. Aldra on all social media platforms, except X. I don't do X anymore. Got rid of that years ago. We don't, you know, we don't do that, but take, I'm on TikTok as bad as terrible too, but it's my stuff is good. Everything else on TikTok. I learned so much. We won't even talk about it. I learned so much from the TikTok. But I love it. Listen, y'all. Thank you for tuning in. I hope you enjoyed the episode. Make sure that you stay connected with me to catch up on the next Dig Deep conversation with Christian leaders. I'll see you then.
