Today we’d like to introduce you to Tray Sharpshire.
Hi Tray, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Atlanta, GA, and never in my dreams did I think I would be an educator. Growing up in my city, there was a lot going on, but I knew I wanted to be prepared for when it was my time to be a father later in life. I was always fond of my high school’s early childhood education program, and within that program, I developed a love for kids. I was always all photography and videography in school and later attended the University of West Georgia as a Mass Communications major but wasn’t able to finish due to personal reasons. I always wanted to help other kids feel understood and loved, but unfortunately, I didn’t know how or where to start as far as a career right out of high school. I later met Julius Cave, and he introduced me to the literacy lab’s leading men’s fellowship, which had taught me so much, opened so many doors for me, and helped get me into the classroom as a young man of color, which is always a sight for sore eyes.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Everyone has heard the saying, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all of the difference.” The road I took as an educator was less traveled and has not been too smooth, but I had all the resources I needed to be great at the palms of my hands. It has been more than worth it because of the outcome of not only my future success but that of my students as well. The Pre-K students have quite a leg up on the ones that didn’t attend any type of formal school before, especially in their behavior and assimilating with other children. The Pre-K students are used to school, and they come in ready to learn. The ones that never attended often come in crying and have more difficulty adjusting to a schedule. I knew that I wanted to become engaged in something that would promote high-quality teaching and learning for children. Therefore, I was ecstatic about receiving the opportunity to join one of the programs in my city that is actually making a difference and having an impact that will last a millennium. This program helped shape my teaching philosophy and enhance my instructional strategies. At this moment, I appreciate the road I traveled for my students. Always let your faith lead you to your true purpose, even when you feel your faith running low. The light is always at the end of the tunnel; even when that light is faint, the light is still there. You just have to have the faith to keep walking towards it to reach your purpose. They say the first year is the hardest, and that is proving to be true.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Literacy Lab in partnership with DC Public Schools and with support from the DC Public Education Fund, The Literacy Lab launched the Leading Men Fellowship in 2016. Leading Men Fellows are young men of color who have recently graduated from high school and participate in a year-long, residency-style experience in which they provide evidence-based literacy support to Pre-K students while receiving robust coaching and professional development and gaining valuable experience. We as fellows, are trained to implement interventions to prepare pre-K children for kindergarten. Fellows are trained and coached to work in one pre-K classroom for the entire school year, leading to significant gains for 3- and 4-year-olds. Young men are exposed to a career in early childhood education, helping to diversify the high-quality teacher pipeline in the long run. We participate in a residency-style, cohort-based program to expose us to a variety of opportunities and experiences.
We have programs in Washington, DC; Baltimore, MD; Milwaukee, WI; Richmond, VA; Portsmouth, VA; Atlanta, GA; Cincinnati, OH; and Phoenix-Mesa, AZ. To become a fellow, you must be a recent graduate or a senior graduating. We are required to attend weekly/biweekly PLG meetings that are designed to enhance the social, emotional, and professional skills of each young professional. PLG topics include discussions around financial literacy, rights and responsibilities of citizens, health and wellness, and much more. We are presented with a number of opportunities to consider post-Fellowship. Many of our Fellows choose to continue on with a year of service as an AmeriCorps Tutor with The Literacy Lab while others decide to return as a “Senior Fellow” with the Leading Men Fellowship. They also encourage all Fellows to pursue their college degree by awarding us up to $2,500 for Fellows who provide evidence of enrolling in a 2 or 4-year college institution.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Value of Life: We were all given one life, and how we spend it depends on us. I have realized that life is not just about accumulating material things and achievements. It is more than just being successful. Life is something to be spent with loved ones, leaving a legacy of humility and love.
Value of Savings: This pandemic crisis hits us unannounced. You want to have access to emergency funds. A savings account is a great way to create a safety net in unexpected circumstances.
Value of Simplicity: The world is filled with unnecessary complexity. We can all survive by sticking to the basics. The less you have, the more time you have to focus on the important things in life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theliteracylab.org/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/the_literacy_lab?igshid=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg==
