Learning to Lead: Lybroan James, SLP'13

Los Angeles native Lybroan James plans on taking what he has learned at the Ed School and putting it into action in his hometown. After Commencement, he plans to open a charter school for boys of color, grades 6–12, in South Central Los Angeles, focused on math, business, and the arts.

“[I came here] to learn how to start and run a high-performing charter school from scratch,” James says, joking that “that means with no money.” “Now I have far more skills and tools to make it happen, and a few new friends who can show me the money.”

James’ ambition and passion to achieve his goals has impressed classmates and faculty in the School Leadership Program (SLP).

“Over the last year Lybroan James has developed and refined his plans for the school of his dreams in ways that have exemplified the ethos of SLP and served as a model for the rest of us,” says Lecturer Lee Teitel, director of SLP. “He has approached his learning – and the learning of his classmates – with a voracious intellectual curiosity, as an open enthusiastic learner, embracing theory as a way to improve practice. He has done this with ever-present humor, humility, deep caring, and an unmatched generosity of spirit.”

Upon learning that he had been honored with the Intellectual Contribution/Faculty Tribute Award for SLP, James answered some questions about his time at the Ed School and beyond.

What is something that you learned at HGSE that you will take with you throughout your career in education? I have learned to look through lenses and frames, view life from the balcony, and to “push back” when served cold pizza in Gutman.

Is there any professor or class that significantly shaped your experience at the Ed School? My program director, Dr. Lee Teitel, has pushed me to work on myself as a leader. Using the infamous 2x2 matrix, Lee forced me to do just as much work below the neck as above the neck. #SLPwecryeveryfriday

How did you stay inspired throughout the year? When times got rough, which was more often than not, I simply looked at pictures of my two sons for inspiration. The sacrifice of not seeing them for a year was plenty motivation.

What will you change in education and why? I will change people’s perceptions about how to educate students of color. I will prove that “no excuses” is no match for good ol’ love, respect, and cultural proficiency.  If you teach in a school where you wouldn't send your child, either you need to leave that school, or you need to leave teaching.

Despite your busy schedule, you always make time for … people.  I love people. I may have taken eight classes, but I've learned over 700 individual lessons.

What advice do you have for next year’s students going through your program? Sleep now, or forever lose your sanity.

Read profiles of the other master’s students being honored with the 2013 Intellectual Contribution/Faculty Tribute Award.