Remembering

Black Educators Matter: Project 500 Podcast

“We’re in a space where we’re remembering… really going back and seeing our history with a new light. And we’re seeing it not as an oppressive history but a history that is rich.”

Alex Munro

Humanities Teacher, IB

“Black Educators matter because we play an important role in empowering, uplifting and setting the example for others to follow.”

Alex Munro grew up in the DC/Maryland area. He is a first generation immigrant, as his family is from Grenada. He grew up in a predominantly White, suburban area with mostly White, female teachers and few Black students in elementary and high school. Alex played college football at HBCU St. Augustine University in North Carolina and came to Chicago for DePaul Law school with the intent to create non-profit organizations for professional athletes centered around education. He worked at a special education summer camp which later created an opportunity for a position in education. Once he got in, he knew that was what he wanted to do.

“I am them and they are me.”

Alex has been in education for 4 1/2 years. He got his Masters in Education and intends to go from an influencer to an active change agent. He appreciates his journey and believes it’s pivotal that Black educators make sure they're always present, no matter where they are in education. They can empathize in a way that other educators cannot. Alex is most positively impacted when former students reach out to him, a high that carries him a long time. Regarding self care, he’s a practicing Buddhist, enjoys reading and is sure to take advantage of his leisure time. He looks at the school year as a marathon and advises new teachers to lean on those who have experience, who understand the ebbs and flows of how things work. Pace yourself, listen and don’t try to do too much.