Today we’d like to introduce you to Deonte’ Towner.
Deonte’, before we jump into specific questions about your practice, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am originally from Salinas, California. I grew up in a very small town in Monterey County. I would watch shows on MTV and be amazed by the big city and bright lights. I always knew that I was going to move to the big city but I did not know when. I would watch shows like Laguna Beach and the Hills. I would turn around and tell my mom, “One day I am going to live by the beach.” I always held on to that! When I was 14 years old my goal was to be a violinist. I was going to travel from city to city playing my violin, Seven years later I went to visit my brother in LA because he went to USC. During that time I was depressed because my girlfriend broke up with me on Valentine’s day and was cheating on me with my best friend and I was losing all hope. While I was hanging out with my brother in LA I heard a voice from God say, “Move to LA.” I was so sheltered the only school that I knew about in LA was USC and UCLA. True story, after my birthday trip I went on Google and searched up colleges in LA. I found a school called California State University Long Beach. It looked like HEAVEN. I did not research the school and I told my parents this is the school I want to go to. I applied and I got in.
My parents were secretly nervous because they had no idea how they were going to afford my schooling because finances weren’t looking so good during this time of their life. I was working two jobs at the time but that wasn’t enough money. A month later I found out that I was receiving a scholarship. My mom began running laps around the school and praising the name of Jesus for my acceptance. I decided to put the violin down and become an English teacher.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I have been through many challenges in my life. People often told me, “You’re too small, you’re too skinny, you’re ugly, you’re not manly enough, you’ll never fit in, you’re a nerd, you’re not black enough.” My mother told me from a young age people were always attacking me and she would have to stand up for me because she understood that God had something great for me in my future. My mom taught me how to stand up to bullies and to people that tried to knock me down. She reminded me to pray and read my word so that I do not lose heart in what God’s plan for me was. I tried to kill myself three times when I was a teenager. I did not want to be alive anymore. There was a time in my life where I forgot my memory because my anxiety level was so high it was beginning to take over my thoughts and my mind. My mom and I prayed hard when I was 16 years old and we began pleading the blood of Jesus over my mind. Now that I am 27 years old I do my best to mentor others young and seasoned by telling them my story for hope.
My students go through so much every day. I teach in Watts, California and my students have seen more than adults will ever see in their lifetime. My students have seen people get killed, shot, murdered, beat up and raped right in front of their eyes. I use many healing and love pedagogies in my classroom. That involve healing circles so that I can acknowledge their voice being heard and understood. It is hard because as a teacher my students come first and I have to make sure that I am strong enough every day to deal with all the demons in their closet that will try to come out in my classroom. Every morning I pray over my classroom so that all the bad spirits go away.
Please tell us about your practice.
I am a high school English teacher and an Indie book author. I teach English 10th grade at Locke High School in Watts, California. I sprinkle social justice and ethnic studies in my classroom. I also use pop culture to reach students. One year I was teaching Romeo and Juliet and I used the cast from Love and Hip Hop Atlanta to pull the students in. I have two books out right now on Amazon. My first book is called Pieces in the Dark: Turn the Light On and my second book is called Secretly Unhappy: Please don’t tell. Those books took a lot out of me emotionally because I put all my pain, sadness, hurt, anger, tears, joy and happiness in those books. I have sold thousands of copies by all the love and support from the community. I am using 100 percent of those proceeds to buy my students that go to college groceries for their first month and to buy other students’ school supplies that are in need at the school. I was able to go on the Steve Harvey show. I won’t 10,000 for school supplies. I was able to bless my students to go to prom, senior jackets and athletic clothes for sports. Also, I am a social media influencer. I speak on Mental Health, perform comedy and spread positivity on social media. My goal is to lift the spirits up of the people so that they can have a positive outlet to look at without all the politics and rage in the world.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
First off I want to give all the glory and honor to Jesus Christ for helping me get to this point in my life. For protecting me from danger seen and unseen. I also, want to give praise to my mother and father for always encouraging me and praying for me in the midnight hour. They told me that I can be whatever I put my mind to as long as I put in the work. I also want to give credit to Ms. Shoop, Ms. Reedemer, Dr. Carlile and Dr. Curammeng for pushing me to be the best educator that I can be. They have helped me unpack my trauma and personal issues of my past so that I can use my stories to help others grow. They have shown me how to open up and be comfortable enough to share my past with people and not be ashamed. Their transparency has helped me trust humanity again.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.deontetowner.com
- Email: townerdeonte92@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deontetowner/?hl=en
- TikTok: DeonteTowner
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