Teachers Are Everything

“Teachers are the backbone of the team.” Mr. Charles Asiyanbi Assistant Principal, Social Worker, Elementary School Teacher, Reading Specialist “Black educators matter because students need to see people who look like them, sound like them, who've had many of the same experiences and understand the challenges and obstacles that they may have to overcome to become successful.” Charles Asiyanbi was born and raised on the south side of Chicago. Born to Nigerian immigrants, they instilled the importance of education in him early. From Holy Angels Catholic School to Hales, he has been surrounded by supportive, Black educators. When his plans for Law School didn't pan out, he reflected on his time spent at Holy Angels and decided to give education a shot. “Be flexible, be hungry [reflective and looking for ways to continually improve], and be patient.” Charles taught a couple years before going back to school to get certified to teach. As a teacher, he believed schools were created for Black students, but now as an administrator, his point of view has changed. He's working on creating a curriculum that supports the needs of Black kids, especially Black boys, who are left behind at higher rates. But this isn't a task he can accomplish alone.