In my early twenties, I found myself with a teaching degree and no job. As Providence would have it, I found a “camp” looking for certified teachers. This “camp” was actually for teenage boys to serve their time for “criminal” behavior.
My job, as described to me, would be to teach in the classroom. I was excited. I became a teacher to help students in need. These students would probably need me more than any other.
I was young and ignorant but even my interview foreshadowed things to come. I walked into the director’s office. He looked at me, nodded, offered me an amount, and told me I had the job.
No questions.
It didn’t take long to understand why. Finding a certified teacher with a Master’s degree to agree to work at this “camp” was nearly impossible. Furthermore, I was a big Black guy, a benefit in the world I was entering.