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Truth, History Teacher and Adjunct Professor at SAGE Magnet & Cerro Coso Community College : Advize Career Interview
A career path fueled by a passion for social justice and serving others, this History Teacher and Adjunct Professor's journey began after military service and leveraged GI Bill benefits.
A series of career pivots led to master's degrees in criminology and urban education, culminating in a rewarding role shaping young minds and working with incarcerated adults.
The work emphasizes active learning, innovative teaching methods like podcast creation and restorative justice circles, and focuses on student voices and diverse perspectives.
Navigating challenges such as administrative interactions and implicit biases, this educator prioritizes self-care, collaboration, and a commitment to uplifting students, particularly those from underserved communities.
A love of people, strong communication, and a dedication to personal growth are highlighted as key to success in this field, along with pursuing relevant internships and potentially graduate study.
This individual's inspiring story underscores the power of public service, authenticity, and resilience in a career dedicated to fostering positive change.
Advizer Information
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Job Title
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Undergrad
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Truth Akins
History Teacher and Adjunct Professor
SAGE Magnet & Cerro Coso Community College
San Diego State University
UCI Criminology and UCLA Urban Education
Criminal Justice
Education
Education
Disabled, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Veteran, Transfer Student, Student Athlete, First Generation College Student
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Career Path Of A History Teacher Adjunct Professor At SAGE Magnet Cerro Coso College
Truth's career path, beginning after military service and utilizing GI Bill benefits, involved a series of pivots driven by both circumstance and a growing passion for social justice. From a non-passionate career in corrections, a desire to "serve people" led to a master's in criminology, a second master's in urban education, and ultimately a fulfilling career teaching history in a public school and adjunct teaching at a community college, where Truth works with incarcerated adults, focusing on "uplifting" students and listening to "student voices."
Main Responsibilities Of A History Teacher And Adjunct Professor At UCLA
Truth's main responsibilities as a History Teacher and Adjunct Professor center around student engagement, incorporating UCLA Core teaching practices such as "80 percent of the time the students should be discussing content and interacting with each other," and utilizing innovative methods like podcast creation and restorative justice circles to connect historical learning with their lived experiences. The focus is clearly on active learning and student participation.
A Day In The Life Of A History Teacher And Adjunct Professor At SAGE Magnet And Cerro Coso
A typical day for this History Teacher and Adjunct Professor involves an hour of early preparation, followed by teaching seven graders—currently engaged in a unique "YouTube History Channel" project where they "interview each other"—and an honors class with high expectations. After school, additional responsibilities include meetings, professional development, and one weekly adjunct college course, including a class in a prison setting teaching "community relations administration of justice."
Most Important Skills for a History Educator at a Community College
To be a successful history teacher and adjunct professor, diplomacy and clear communication are paramount; the ability to "resolve conflicts" and ensure students feel "their perspective" is valued is crucial. A love of people, combined with strong organizational skills, is also essential for a long and rewarding career in this field.
Favorite Parts Of Being A History Teacher And Adjunct Professor At SAGE Magnet And Cerro Coso
Truth, a History Teacher and Adjunct Professor, finds the greatest fulfillment in "getting to know so many people" from diverse backgrounds and hearing "so many different perspectives" in their role. This allows Truth to support students, particularly first-generation students from minority groups, in their growth and aspirations, with many expressing a desire to become educators themselves.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A History Teacher And Adjunct Professor At SAGE Magnet And Cerro Coso College
Truth, a history teacher and adjunct professor, cites navigating interactions with administration as the biggest challenge in their role, noting that as a first-generation professional, "it can be intimidating" to address conflicts with those from different backgrounds. However, the focus on students remains paramount, leading Truth to emphasize the importance of self-care and collaboration with parents and the community to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Favorite Parts of Working in Public Service as a History Teacher and Adjunct Professor
Truth, a History Teacher and Adjunct Professor, finds the most fulfilling aspect of their career to be "being a public servant," driven by an altruistic nature and the opportunity to serve the community. This aligns with their career path, including previous roles in the military and Department of Corrections, and the benefit of student loan forgiveness after 10 years in public service.
What Type Of Person Thrives In Education, According To A History Teacher And Adjunct Professor At Cerro Coso Community College
History Teacher and Adjunct Professor Truth identifies thriving educators as those who "love to give," are "authentic," communicate well, and inspire others through collaboration. Conversely, those who struggle often exhibit negativity, conflict, and ego-driven behavior, a dynamic that Truth suggests is unsustainable in the long term.
What a Teacher at a School and Community College Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Education Industry
Truth, a history teacher and adjunct professor, wished they had known about UCLA's exceptional teacher education program earlier in their career; the program, particularly its focus on social justice and underserved populations ("school to prison pipeline"), provided invaluable training and mentorship from faculty like Dr. Howard and Dr. Andrade, a realization that could have saved them significant student loan debt.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring History Teachers and Adjunct Professors
For aspiring history teachers, county-based internships offer a cost-effective path to teaching credentials in California, allowing one to "work as an intern at a school" while completing studies. Alternatively, a master's degree in a related field opens doors to prison counseling, providing valuable insight into "the problems that we still have today in the communities," while emphasizing the importance of hands-on experience over immediate high pay.
Significant Career Lesson From A History Teacher At SAGE Magnet
The most significant lesson learned by the History Teacher and Adjunct Professor is the importance of self-awareness and personal growth for effective public service, stating that "if you haven't healed over your issues... you might not do a great job because you can't listen." This self-work enables availability and empathy when working with students and others experiencing difficult situations, leading to improved performance and stronger relationships.
College Experiences That Helped a History Teacher and Adjunct Professor at SAGE Magnet and Cerro Coso College Succeed
To prepare for a career in public safety, the history teacher and adjunct professor undertook immersive experiences like police ride-alongs, witnessing "the intensity of Public Safety," and interviewing numerous courthouse professionals. This proactive approach, coupled with a commitment to always taking "critical feedback from supervisors," provided invaluable insights and shaped their career path.
How Identity Has Influenced A History Teacher And Adjunct Professor At SAGE Magnet And Cerro Coso Community College's Career
Truth, a Black single mother and educator, describes navigating a career where they constantly face the need to "prove" themself, encountering bias rooted in race and gender. This experience, including a deeply upsetting encounter with racist stereotyping in college, fueled their resilience and commitment to empowering students to overcome similar negativity.
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