*Trigger warning, mental health*

“Working with kids gave me purpose.”

Donovan Taylor Hall

Youth Development Specialist

https://www.instagram.com/donofriend/

“Kids need people to invest in them so they can learn to invest in themselves.”

Oh the joys of a healing journey. This episode, we are joined by Mr. Donovan Taylor Hall, affectionately known as Donofriend. After a tumultuous educational experience in Virginia, he had a life changing encounter with a Black educator that changed his perspective on what was possible for his life. As he continues to explore who he wants to be and how he wants to show up in the world, he thinks about the experience of Black students and the tools they have in school. Through the creation of his public persona, he hopes to help everyone understand the vision. He wants to be an accessible resource for students, especially kids who struggle that may not have the language or ability to ask for help or support. 

“How do you feel? Do you feel good, do you feel safe?”

Thinking about his experience as a positive school climate coordinator, he’s reflecting on some observations on education, and these systems are working as designed, leading to kids feeling bad about themselves. As a non-traditional educator, he has a transformative energy in how he approaches the work, and is careful not to perpetuate harmful beliefs or encourage harmful behaviors on Black students. Join us as he talks about teaching from a place of love, the happy tears he’s cried, and why care is the foundation of learning.