Today we’d like to introduce you to Patrick Washington.
Hi Patrick, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve known that I wanted to teach since I was about 3 or 4 years old. I earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from Mississippi State University in the fall of 1997. I began teaching 4th grade at Evans Elementary in February of 1998. I was accepted into the first New Leaders cohort in 2004 and became a principal the following year. Since then, I’ve served as a Superintendent of Schools, Director of Principal Development for New Leaders, and the Executive Director of Promise Academy Charter Schools. I founded Man Up Teacher Fellowship in 2018. I earned a Master’s and Doctorate from Ole Miss and an Educational Specialists degree from Union University. My wife Vicki and I, of 23 years, have two daughters, Olivia, a senior at MTSU, and Emily, a junior in high school.
My journey from being a student in public school to leading public schools was, like most careers, a series of successes and failures. Nevertheless, each experience was valuable and allowed me to become the educational leader I am today. Education is the cornerstone of our democracy. I believe that it is incumbent upon each of us, regardless of our status as parents or guardians, to ensure that every child in our country receives a high-quality education. The battle for equitable education is our fight for civil rights. My belief can be traced to my great-great grandfather, Richard Adkins, who was born into slavery in 1860. He became literate and taught others at the end of each workday. I grew up in a multigenerational home with Richard’s daughter and granddaughter. My mother, Richard’s great-granddaughter, was also a teacher. It’s in my DNA to do this work. It is who I am; It is my life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not. My love for school waned tremendously in around sixth grade. I did just enough to get by. I was bored, and because my mother was a teacher and my father was a pastor, there was added pressure from the community that made being a child difficult. The expectations were that I was supposed to be a “model student and child” because of who my parents were. That pressure, along with boring, monotonous instruction, made me not see the value in education at that time. College introduced another set of challenges, mostly from white instructors who didn’t see the value in me as a black, aspiring teacher. That experience triggered a fire in me. It made me realize that being a teacher was powerful and transformative. Teaching has infinite impact and possibilities. It made every obstacle in my past and current ones worth the effort.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us more about your business.
Only 2% of teachers across the nation are men of color. Man Up Teacher Fellowship is a non-profit organization that aims to give students in high-poverty, urban and rural communities, particularly male students of color, access to high-quality male teachers and advancing policies that promote equity in K12 schools. Man Up’s purpose is to recruit, train and place a talented pipeline of men of color who can be impactful in any school setting and to work relentlessly to ensure the success of all students. Man Up Teacher Fellows will be able to become certified classroom teachers with an emphasis on Presence, Professionalism, and Practice at no cost to them. Upon successfully mastering these elements, our fellows will also have opportunities to pursue a Master’s degree, a degree in Ed Leadership, and a doctorate at no cost. Man Up Teacher Fellowship is a 5-year program. Any male of color with a college degree can apply. Classrooms across the country are in dire need of qualified teachers, especially male teachers of color. Man Up is working to be that change! This fall, we welcomed our 5th cohort of men bringing us to over 100 men of color in over 30 classrooms in Memphis and Shelby County.
How would we have described you growing up if we knew you were growing up?
I am a fun person. I was always the life of the party, which was beneficial as an elementary school teacher because you have to be an entertainer or at least have high energy to keep kids engaged. I am loyal, compassionate, empathetic, and loving. I lead with my heart, and I am naturally curious about everything. I want to learn, meet new people, and make every second of my life count. I love to make a difference, and I look for opportunities to bring joy to someone else’s life each day.
Contact Info:
- Website: manupteach.org
- Instagram: @manup901
- Facebook: facebook.com/Manupteacherfellowship
- Twitter: manupteach901
