Name: JuDonne Hemingway
School Setting: Charter School
Years teaching at current school: 1
Have you taught in other settings before? Yes.

Q: How do you benefit from school choice?
A: As a teacher I benefit from school choice by having the ability to work in a school environment where the achievement gap is most prominent. I have the autonomy as a teacher to join a school community that is entirely focused on student achievement through innovation and teacher effectiveness. I am able to go where students need me most and to join a leadership team that shares my own values about education.

Q: Do you think you are a better teacher because of your setting choice?
A: I think an effective teacher can teach anywhere. However, I do believe that teachers are more invested and relentless when they are in an environment where they can truly make an impact. Often time’s good teachers are discouraged when they don’t see their hard work making an immediate impact on students’ lives. Through school choice, teachers are able to invest themselves in schools where their commitment and impact is recognized and valued.

Q:  What is your philosophy on education?
A: Education is the great differentiator in this country. It is the one thing that sets apart people who are successful from those who spend their entire lives trying to stay above water. Education is also the civil rights issue of this century. Too many minority students and students from underprivileged backgrounds never get a quality education. The only way to turn this around is by having strong school leaders and effective classroom teachers in these school environments. This is also why school choice is so essential.

Q: What do you think is the biggest misconception about charter schools?
A: People see these schools as a threat to the traditional way of educating and to the existence of public/township schools. The misconception suggests that if the charters, virtual, and catholic schools are working to close the gap for students than there is no need for the traditional schools. That couldn’t be any further from the truth. Choice is an important part in every aspect of life. If the idea of choice isn’t threatening in any other capacity, then why is it so threatening for education?

Q: If you are a parent, do your children benefit from choice?
A: My children attend a charter school. As a parent I am most interested in a school environment where teachers have the autonomy to meet the specific needs of my children. Where the structure is firm yet flexible enough where quick decisions can be made in the best interest of the students.

Q: Would you encourage young people to consider a career in teaching?
A: Absolutely! Our next generations of teachers and educators must be a group of young leaders with fresh perspectives and the willingness to try new things.

Ms. JuDonne Hemingway is featured in AAE's film Teacher's Choice. Click here to watch and share.

What do you think about JuDonne's experience teaching in a public charter school?
Comment below.

email to friend

Print

comment

Permalink

Comments (0)

Submit a comment

Name and location

Email (not published)

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment