By Delores Wilson, March 12, 2020 — Mr. Isaiah’s approach to teaching [was]: “I’m all about you and I want you to get it.” He never yelled or disrespected our personhood. However, when he spoke, we listened. He was one of many teachers [whose] personhood I wanted to mimic. He would stand in front of the class and teach with such ease. I held onto every word. He made the subject interesting and exciting. When he gave a test, he would slowly circle the room, speaking very softly about current events. When the use of credit cards was becoming pervasive in our society, he slowly circled the room saying, “Don’t have more than two or three credit cards. Don’t use your cards for food. Pay cash.” Mr. Isaiah was always giving reasons why we should restrain from doing this or that or the other. His advice never interfered with test-taking. It was like white noise, absorbing into our subconscious.
