Forever an Educator: Now and I Pray Forever

 by Autry Kenney Richmond

            “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.  Little ones to Him belong.  They are weak, but He is strong.  Yes, Jesus loves Me!  Yes, Jesus loves Me! Yes, Jesus loves Me!  For the Bible tells me so!”  As a church child growing up in Jackson, Mississippi, this was my favorite song. 

At the age of six years old, standing on a stool because I was too short to look directly into the kitchen sink, my mother showed me how to wash dishes.  She was pregnant, could not stand the odor of food cooking, and needed my hands.  Wow!!! I was a big girl, doing bigger things!!!  Dad was at work, and I was in charge.  Singing “Yes, Jesus loves me!” and washing dishes, what a way to spend summer as I anticipated getting ready for first grade.

Rowan Junior High, Mary C. Jones Elementary School, Lanier High School, and Sam M. Brinkley Jr.-Sr. High School were places where movers and shakers were made.  By the way, the Blues artist, Dorothy Moore, was in the class before mine at Lanier High School.  Tonea Stewart, the movie actress from “In the Heat of the Night” television show, was Miss Jackson State College when I was a college freshman.

Reading, writing, vocabulary building, communication enunciation and articulation, critical thinking, and higher levels of mathematics were the norm.  Teachers created hands-on labs when segregated schools did not receive the same funds as Anglo-Saxon facilities.  From grades 7-12, I only missed one day of school due to a badly needed dental appointment.  My feelings were just like my mouth, aching and hurting badly.  I loved knowledge, contests, competitions of all types, plus extra-curricular activities (band, debate team, track, basketball, school newspaper, mathematics club, and journalism club). 

Watching my teachers, veteran and inexperienced, young and senior mature, helped me decide in seventh grade that I wanted to be a math teacher.  I knew in fourth grade I was great with numbers, spelling, reading, and writing, quick and sharp!  I won every multiplication contest the entire fourth grade year.  Competition was really high, but I held that title with ease.   By seventh grade, my goal was focused on becoming a math teacher like Mr. Herman C. Ball, Mrs. A. K. Lattimore, or Mr. Leon Wilson.  However, my eighth grade science teacher, Mr. Charles Bracey sealed the deal when he recommended I be placed in the Pre-Honors track for college.  My Pre-algebra and Algebra I had paid off. 

When I was not distracted by others and being lazy, I made the honor roll.  Of course, during my time, it was truly “Honors” roll.  Students had to have an average of 80 or higher in every class to be considered an Honor student.  Unlike today, where in some schools all students need is a cumulative grade point average or are given bonus points/extra credit as rewards for good behavior, participation, or whatever others can think of to make schools and districts look good.  My generation was on a mission to erase segregation and discrimination in America, starting in Mississippi.  Through participation in demonstrations and marches, I was proud of my parents for introducing me to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.  My dad was a strong and well respected black man. 

Since I actually finished all graduation requirements early, I found myself teaching in Dade City, Florida in February of 1970.  After observing the transferring teacher for a week, I had time to assess the positives and negatives displayed by 7^th - 9^th graders.  When my opportunity came to be in charge, at the end of my first day of teaching geography and mathematics, it was the remarks from Mr. O. K. Mickens (building principal) which set the positive tone for a growing career yet to be made.  “Miss Kenney, you are going to be a great teacher!”  His smile meant so much for my heart and self-esteem.  It was like another parental approval.

Although I had left the campus of Jackson State University officially, I was so looking forward to returning in May to walk across the stage for graduation.  Instead, my degree was mailed to my home, as well as, the same for my entire class.  You see, I am a product of the class of 1970 from Jackson State University.  It was my class that made history during the race riot, where two of the five people killed by policemen were close math and science classmates.  A third person, Benjamin Brown, was a member of Greater Blair Street African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.  He and I grew up in the same church.  From that day forward, I have asked Jesus to strengthen me in making a positive difference wherever I found myself, especially as an advocate for making things better.  If I can help anyone improve, use me to do it.  

Little did I know, through the years , my job descriptions would include being a:  dishwasher, maid, housekeeper, store clerk, church secretary, Sunday School teacher, professor assistant, math tutor, sharer of  Jesus wherever I traveled, mathematics teacher, creator and writer of lesson plans, problem-solver,  motivator, counselor, hall monitor, liaison for parents and students, administrative director, medical program coordinator, nurturer for others, team leader, program planner with others,  student sponsor, supporter of community causes, lover of  all mankind, and demonstrator for justice, one to never grow weary in well doing…

Every morning, I know Jesus still loves me because He has blessed me to see many visions come to fruition.  Often considered to be mean, students later discovered, I really had their best interests at heart.  Since I had excellent teachers, starting with both parents at home, later migrating to the church and school, the community nurtured its children.  We were protected, loved, and valued by the people surrounding us.  Additionally, the older adults guided us by demonstrating how they wanted all to excel.  Everyone encouraged us to think about going to college.  High school was not optional nor the final stopping point.

Although Jackson State College, now Jackson State University, was not my first choice, I grew to love it.  Finances would not allow me to attend Tougaloo College with the other brains of my class.  I am so grateful to my dad, James Andrew Kenney, Sr. for physically climbing up and down ladders for years to support me and my nine siblings on one pay check.  Painting is hard work and I want the world to know, it took the community and village to help my parents feed and clothe ten children.  My family is abundantly blessed to have a painter, computer technician, registered nurse, medical neuro-radiologist, Ph. D. college professor, school teacher, physical therapist, environmentalist, human resource director, and key punch operator receive education from that one-pay check.  To our God, be the glory for all the things He has done, is doing, and will do!

My career landed me in Florida, Indiana, Mississippi, and Texas, all under Divine direction of being obedient to the call.  Having spent the last 21 years teaching in Dallas Independent School District, mainly in the high “at-risk” schools, the experiences were non-stop challenging daily.  Being anchored in Jesus kept me afloat.  It was definitely unique and required continuous soul-searching of my own character and moral values.  Pressures from others created many sleepless nights and a closer walk with Jesus.  Each day, I started my day walking and talking with the Master Teacher.  Seeking His guidance for every situation, I was able to have a most rewarding career as a 36 year mathematics teacher. 

When least expected, even when driving through a McDonald’s restaurant, I found myself teaching mathematics.  Do you know there are so many young people who do not know how to count change from a $20.00 dollar bill?  When the computer is down, it seems the business goes down too.  What happened to building a solid foundation before adventuring to higher order thinking skills?  Did someone forget to put the cart after the horse instead of in front?

Although I am no longer writing DOL’s (Demonstration of Learning) time consuming objectives, I give my all to the Future Leaders Program, sponsored by the Bickel and Brewer Foundation.  This program allows me to continue challenging aspiring leaders through more innovative and realistic problematic situations.  Students and I can engage in fun ways to discover solutions that can make a difference in the lives of others.  For example, given a plot of land, create a vegetable garden layout that can feed the most number of families in your community.   Consider types of vegetables and the variety of family make-up patterns, i.e., single or multiple families.  Create a budget.

Mathematics is not hard; it is just a strict structured version of putting thought processes into visible action.  So, I will continue sharing mathematical knowledge to as many people possible.   If you want to know it, I will forever be an educator because . . .

 “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.  Little ones to Him belong.  They are weak, but He is strong.  Yes, Jesus loves Me!  Yes, Jesus loves Me! Yes, Jesus loves Me!  For the Bible tells me so!”!!!  AKR