Teaching sociology in a maximum-security prison transforms the educator as much as the incarcerated students. The educator honors their past experiences growing up amidst adversity, receiving protection and encouragement from their community. This support fostered a belief in their potential and informed their teaching approach. They emphasize the importance of connection and seeing the humanity in incarcerated individuals, recognizing that entering the classroom involves preparation and a personal calling to extend possibilities to others, reminiscent of the support they received in their own life.
Entering the prison each week requires mental preparation. Stepping into the classroom is not just about imparting knowledge, but also about connecting with the humanity of the incarcerated.
I teach because I owe a debt—not in a way that burdens me, but in a way that allows me to walk in my purpose and see people through the same lens of possibility that allowed me to live my dreams.
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