A school teacher at Barack Obama Elementary School in Atlanta identified as Johnathon Hines has emerged Georgia’s Pre-K Teacher of the Year. He is the first Black man to receive the award, and hopes to continue inspiring his young students!

“Now I have the opportunity to inspire other males in early childhood. And that’s definitely one of my biggest goals,” Hines told 11 Alive. “I know how hard it is to be a teacher. The love and passion that you have to have to come in the classroom every single day. It’s definitely a calling, and that is my calling.”

Johnathon Hines has often been very passionate about teaching. He believes it is of great importance that a child would first love learning which he does unconventionally and energetically through dancing and singing.

“Cause I feel like when a child is engaged, the more they will learn,” he explained. “When I was in school I didn’t really enjoy the story, or the story was boring. Pre-K is the first year a child will experience school, so I want their first encounter to be a loving, nurturing encounter. And also allow them to have fun and still be a 4-year-old.”

One of the most amazing and rewarding parts of his job is seeing his little students learn. Hines presently teaches 22 pupils that he treats like his own children.

https://www.ngtimes.net/2020/09/johnathon-hines-emerges-one-of-first-black-male-teachers-of-the-year.html