‘The World’s Most Phenomenal Teacher’ by Tayana Felder

This piece was part of the Ánimo Voices Competition, which invited students to write about innovators, upstanders, visionaries, or rebels that have made a difference in their local or broader communities. The competition was an opportunity to motivate, recognize, and celebrate our strong student voices through writing and art.

The World’s Most Phenomenal Teacher

by Tayana Felder, 9th grade, Ánimo South Los Angeles Charter High School

I had to sit down and ask myself, “Who do you think we take for granted? This is a time your voice will be heard.”

I bet a lot of people are writing about celebrities or someone who doesn’t need to be acknowledged. I was originally going to write about Rosa Parks—I kept thinking and getting irritated the more I procrastinated. Then my mom persuaded me to write about my great grandmother. She was someone everybody in her town admired—she was strong, and gave back to her community.

My great grandmother Ms.Lucy Rose Alexander became a music teacher. She graduated from Wilberforce University in Ohio in 1945 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music. She had her first teaching experience in Yanceyville, North Carolina as the music teacher at Caswell High School, Princess Anne, Maryland.
After teaching in Oklahoma City Public Schools for 25 years, my great grandmother retired. Did that stop her you ask? Not at all!! She became a “Professional Volunteer.” She has been featured on the “Pay Forward” and “United Way” media campaigns.

As a matter of fact, when my great grandmother Lucy was in her 90’s she kept teaching music but did lessons at her home and at the McFarland YMCA. She co-sponsored a Boys and Girls Club at the Brockway Center under the auspices of Oklahoma Federation of Colored Women, and she somehow had time to teach yoga to the elders.

For this reason, my great grandmother reminds me so much of Rosa Parks. I mean yeah, she didn’t refuse to get up from her seat or get thrown in jail either. She reminds me of Rosa Parks because of her dedication to her community—she fought for what was right. After she retired, she could’ve had her children take care of her but she didn’t!! My great grandmother always had something positive to do for her community. I picked my great grandmother to be the person I talk about because I feel she should be acknowledged for all she accomplished at the age of 96 years young.

One day I wish to accomplish as much as she did in her life.