Hi my name is Denzel Schuna and being the first in my family to graduate from college would mean everything to me because that means I’ll do something that nobody else in my family has ever done and I want that so bad. Also being the first in my family to graduate from college would mean a lot because I can show other people that even though I come from a low income family there are still ways to make college work and affordable and that’s how I would like to get through college because so far I’ve been able to make college work. Lastly, being the first in my family to graduate from college would mean a lot to mean because I have 5 siblings and 4 of them have disabilities and they didn’t have the chance to go to college and I want to show them like I did that and I graduated from college. In college right now I’m pursuing a social studies major with an education major. So my plan after I graduated from college is to become a high school history teacher and to teach because that’s what I love to do and I love history and I just care about the younger generations and I would just love to teach history because I’m a history nerd so I just wanted to do something that I know I would love to do and teaching history would be that so that what I’m pursuing in college. Like I said in my previous answer my long term goals is to become a high school history teacher because I care about the future and the students and I just care about youth and I’ve had jobs with youth and I’m like this is want I need and want to do with my life. I also want to teach because there isn’t a lot of male teachers out there in the teaching profession and I would just love to be one of the men in the teaching industry so that I could possibly inspire and become a role model for male students to possibly also go to college and become teachers be I feel like we need more male teachers so that young men can have teacher they can talk to about certain stuff about and I just feel like the teaching profession could just use more male teachers.

If I could change anything in education it would be the number of black teacher that are in schools because in my K-12 experience I only had 1 black teacher and that wasn’t until I had gotten to the 10th grade. So I would like to be a step in the right direction and change that statistic. In classrooms across the United States, students are taught by individuals who help shape their worldview, self-image, and future goals. Teachers are more than just instructors—they are mentors, role models, and guides. However, there is a noticeable and troubling lack of diversity among those who hold these important positions, especially when it comes to Black male teachers. According to the U.S. Department of Education, Black men make up less than 2% of the teaching workforce in the United States. This is a problem that needs to be addressed, and it is a change I am deeply passionate about making. As a Black student, I know firsthand how powerful it can be to see someone who looks like you in a position of leadership and influence. Representation matters. When young Black boys never see Black men in educational roles, they may begin to internalize the idea that teaching—or academic achievement more broadly—isn’t for them. They might associate success only with athletes or entertainers, simply because that’s what they see most often. But when they have Black male teachers in front of them every day, they are reminded that they, too, can lead, teach, and succeed in school and beyond. Increasing the number of Black male teachers can have an enormous impact on all students, not just those who share their race or background. Black male teachers bring unique cultural perspectives and lived experiences to the classroom. They can challenge stereotypes, break down biases, and build stronger relationships with students of all backgrounds. Research has shown that students of color are more likely to succeed academically when they have teachers who look like them. There are multiple reasons, including systemic racism, economic barriers, lack of recruitment efforts, and the perception that teaching is a low-paying or undervalued profession. Many Black boys grow up in underfunded schools with limited resources, and teaching is rarely presented as a viable or exciting career path. If they don’t see male teachers—especially Black ones—it’s hard for them to imagine themselves becoming one. To change this, i believe we need a multi-layered approach. First, we need to invest in programs that actively recruit Black men into teaching. This means offering scholarships, mentorship, and support networks for Black male students who are interested in education. Organizations like Black Men Teach are doing important work in this area, but they need more funding and support to grow. Second, we need to change the narrative around teaching. Too often, teaching is viewed as a “fallback” career or something that doesn’t offer enough financial stability. We need to highlight the importance and power of teaching, especially in shaping the future of our communities. Teachers should be respected and paid as professionals. If we raise teacher salaries and offer more benefits, we’ll likely attract a more diverse range of people—including more Black men—into the field. Third, we need to start early. High school and college students should be exposed to the idea of teaching as a fulfilling and impactful career. School counselors, mentors, and family members should encourage Black boys who enjoy helping others, leading discussions, or mentoring younger students to consider becoming educators. If we wait until college to start recruiting, we’ve already missed years of potential development. Lastly, schools themselves need to become places where Black male educators feel safe, respected, and supported. Too often, Black male teachers are expected to serve as disciplinarians or deal with the toughest students simply because of their identity. This is unfair and contributes to burnout. Instead, Black male teachers should be encouraged to teach a range of subjects, lead programs, and grow professionally like any other educator. Personally, I would like to be a part of this change. Whether through mentoring younger students, studying education, or starting programs in my community, I want to work toward a future where more Black men are in front of classrooms. I believe in the power of education to uplift and empower, and I know that increasing the number of Black male teachers can be a major step toward equity and justice in our schools. The shortage of Black male teachers is not just a statistic—it’s a call to action. If we want our schools to truly serve all students, they must reflect the diversity of the world around them. Representation isn’t just about appearances—it’s about presence, leadership, and influence. By encouraging and supporting more Black men to enter the teaching profession, we can change not only lives, but the entire culture of education.

My name is Denzel Schuna and I’m a social studies major with a history concentration with an education co-major at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota. My goals after i graduation from Hamline University with my degree is to become a high school social studies teacher. I know I can make a positive impact in my career as an educator because I feel like teaching is my passion and my true calling in life because I know it’s what I was meant to do. I know this I what I want to spend the rest of my life doing because when I was a tutor at my high school for a class called avid I was helping a student with their homework for a history class they had to write an essay for an assignment and they were struggling to get it started and I asked them why and they were struggling to get their thoughts together and I told them let’s just think for a second and think why the civil war was happening at this time and once we got through that they were like that the civil war was messed up and I was like why do you think that and they explained to me why they thought it was messed up and I was like write that down to get your paper started. To me that was the most rewarding having that student have their light bulb go off was just rewarding to me and ever since I’ve always wanted that feeling know that I made a students light bulb go off and like now they finally get it. But the main reason I want to become and educator is to inspire students and have them see me not just as a teacher but as someone that they can talk to about anything and not just things about their homework or assignments but about life and other things like that. But the main reason I’d like to become a teacher is to be a role model for all of the young black students that I will have in my classroom because growing up I only had one black teacher and that wasn’t until I got to high school and I would like to change the numbers of how many black teachers there are in school by me being one of them. I also want to be a role model for the black students in my classroom because I want them to see me as a person who looks just like them in front of the classroom and to teaching them about not just history but black history and that’s why I would love to become an educator.

My name is Denzel Schuna and I would love to pursue a career in education because I feel that’s the biggest way I can make an impact on my community. Pursuing a career in education can be one of the most impactful decisions an individual can make, particularly for those who are deeply committed to improving their communities. For me the drive to enter the field of education stems from a profound belief in the power of knowledge and its ability to transform lives. My motivations and potential impacts of my career choice is highlighting the personal and societal benefits that come from dedicating oneself to teaching. My journey to becoming an educator began with a personal experience and a role model who demonstrated the profound impact a dedicated teacher can have. My 11th grade U.S. History teacher Mr. Lincoln was my biggest influence because he taught in a way that everyone could understand and if you didn’t understand something he would try and teach it in a way you could understand. He was also a big influence because he was always someone that I could talk to. These early influences planted the seeds of a desire to give back to the community in a meaningful way. For me the transformative power of education is the choice to become a teacher is a natural progression. One of the primary motivations for me pursuing a career in education is the opportunity to make a lasting impact on students' lives. As a teacher, it is a unique position to shape the minds and futures of young people. By providing not only academic instruction but also emotional and social support, I want to help students develop into well-rounded individuals. This holistic approach to teaching can have a ripple effect, influencing students' families and the broader community. When students succeed, they often become role models and leaders within their own neighborhoods, perpetuating a cycle of positive change. In addition to influencing individual students, I want to contribute to the overall betterment of society. Education is widely recognized as a key factor in reducing poverty, improving health outcomes, and fostering economic development. By ensuring that all students have access to quality education, I want to play a crucial role in addressing social inequalities and promoting social justice. This is particularly important in underprivileged communities where educational resources may be scarce. Educators like my 11th grade history teacher Mr. Lincoln, who choose to work in these areas, demonstrate a commitment to equity and a belief in the potential of every child. Moreover, a career in education offers me a sense of fulfillment and purpose that can be hard to find in other professions. I often speak of the joy that comes from witnessing my students' growth and achievements. The knowledge that he is making a tangible difference in the lives of young people and his community can be incredibly rewarding. This sense of purpose is a powerful motivator, driving me to continually improve his teaching practices and advocate for his students' needs. In conclusion, pursuing a career in education is a profound way for me is to make a significant impact on his community. Through his dedication and passion, I can inspire and empower the next generation, promote social equity, and contribute to the overall well-being of society. For me the rewards are both personal and communal, making it a deeply fulfilling career choice.