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In the end, Worthing High School English teacher Courtney Riley is happy he couldn’t escape his calling.
“Initially, I tried to avoid becoming an educator at all costs, however, I just could not stay away,” Riley told the Houston Daily. “I combined my love for writing and helping others reach their potential by being a college adviser.”
With Worthing High touting itself as a “student-centered college and career readiness campus committed to ensuring a competitive education and transforming diverse students into lifelong learners,” Riley readily admits being a part of the profession has been more than what he may once thought it would be.
“The most surprising thing that has impacted me as a teacher is the friendships and camaraderie made among the teachers and staff,” he added. “The amount of time we spend planning, preparing and impacting decisions that affect our students draws us closer. Our students love to see our relationships develop.”
Riley adds the memories have been as precious as they have been everlasting.
“The fondest memories I have are attending graduations,” he said. “The joy and excitement that the students and families exude on that day, students constantly asking “Are you going to be there?” really drives me to make their education experience one to remember.”
Riley adds the lessons he has learned on the job have helped make all the difference.
“I have learned that teaching is beyond what happens inside the classroom,” he said. “The connections made between the classroom and how the learned skills apply to life beyond the classroom and hallways. I find joy in hearing from former students about experiences and exposure to what the world has to offer.”
Riley said he often has the same speech for most of his students.
“The most common barriers I see in academic progress is students grit and belief in themselves to push through hard things,” he added. “I tell my students often to lean into struggle and do hard things. The more that I talk about challenges and tackling difficult tasks, I see how imperative teaching students critical thinking and coping techniques. Teaching these skills helps students academic progress and overall tenacity to strive for excellence.”
Riley said he has a simple formula for helping students struggling either academically or socially.
“My students would say I am very inquisitive in what they have going on in their academic and social lives,” he said. “I often ask students to show me their grades in other courses to ensure they are on track in other classes as well. If they are not doing so well, I ask what they have done to shift their grade and even go as far as asking colleagues what can be done to solve the struggle. I provide several opportunities for students to journal and reflect on course work and social issues and this steers conversations both in and out of class.”
Riley said parents and the community alike have a role to play.
“Parents can be supporters to the things that teachers offer and provide,” he said. “Parents can also be partners to the school in ensuring students are equipped with a mindset to succeed and do well in all endeavors of their life, home and school. Most importantly, creating strong family traditions at home of reading, journaling and even discussing worldwide events.”
He added, the gift of presence and time is imperative to the community and teachers. Being there at athletic and academic events, offering to tutor and assist students with industry exposure so that students can see life beyond Worthing and high school.”
With a motto of “pushing past ordinary...moving toward extraordinary,” Worthing High is a historic secondary school located in Houston’s southeast area. Its founder, Evan Edward Worthing, believed that every individual, including all African American children, should have access to quality education.
The school’s list of notable graduates includes Sen. Rodney Ellis, Terry Ellis (founding member of R&B group En Vogue), legendary NFL player and Coach Mike Singletary and community activist Quanell X.