Today we’d like to introduce you to Dominique Young.
Dominique, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I would first like to say: Thank you, Voyage Houston, for the privilege and honor of being featured in Voyage Houston Magazine.
I believe education was always a calling of mine. I share the same story with other educators of playing school with stuffed animals and Barbie Dolls or even my neighborhood friends. I was always the teacher and I was always learning something new and wanted to share with anyone who would listen. As I advanced through grade school I fell in love with learning, particularly in my early childhood and primary childhood school years. I found myself asking for more work to take home and read twice as fast as my counterparts. I found myself escaping very often into non-fiction and fiction literature while at school and at home. This love developed into a career in education later in life.
When I look back over the eight plus years I have accredited in education, I must admit that certain variables almost caused me to pursue a profession in another field. I took a few detours here and there to meet certain familial and cultural standards of what success is (i.e. – Psychologist, Lawyer, and/or doctor). I mostly allowed generational expectations to determine my decisions in life. These expectations were shattered when I denounced my career as a Clinical Psychologist, right after I graduated with a B.S. in Psychology. Denounce is a strong word. However, to my family, it was a betrayal. They had plans for my life. Once I shared with my family that I would be pursuing a career as an inner-city teacher instead they tried very hard to control my decision. I would either attend Texas Women University, Baylor University, University of Texas-Medical Center, or Liberty University- all in which I received acceptance letters from. Otherwise I would marry well, become a Psychologist and move into a Brownstones in New York City. I would become not only the first Black female to graduate from high school in my family and neighborhood, but I would also become the first to matriculate from college and attain a Bachelors of some sort and then marry. That is all that was expected of me. God had different plans. While I was matriculating forward in college, I knew there was an overall agenda, a Calling some might say over my life. I’ve learned that is the ever-amazing presence of God’s favor over my life and His will, which does not include my own or others. I was always called to go back to where I came from, Third Ward, to be used as a vessel for my people. I came back to be a model for the youth and families in this community. Most importantly, I came back for the young girls who are often told they will not graduate from high school and that they will become a statistic like their parent(s). I came back for the young girls whose family applies unnecessary pressure to succeed, but do not prescribe the antidote when they fail. Since I am cognizant that I cannot do this alone, in addition to modeling I am obligated to be a part of systemic change that could transform the trajectory of the lives of the families in Third Ward, as it did mine through highly effective early and primary childhood education. Developing and coaching teachers in the areas of teaching in underserved communities is another component of my calling as well.
Throughout my journey as an educator, it was a bit hard in the beginning. I failed the content exam the first time I took it. I remember it quite vividly. I was already offered a teaching position with Houston Independent School District as a 4th Grade ELA Teacher based on my enrollment and involvement at the University of St. Thomas as their Student Graduate Ambassador. That was all God’s doing; his favor at work in my life. The likelihood of an African-American student at a predominantly all White, Catholic University as Student Ambassador was unheard of. I sometimes wonder why is that the case, however I digress. In my well student-centered 4th Grade classroom, my students and I checked the scores together only to find that I failed the exam. That was indeed a teachable moment, to say the least. It more so a teachable moment for me. I always knew how to succeed but not what to do when I fail. It crushed me. I felt my students saw me as a failure, while I was prepping them for a state standardized test. How could I teach them going forward I contemplated in my mind over and over?
At the end of the school day, a student of mine said, “it’s okay Ms. Young”, I held in a built of a day of tears. He continued to say, “we will take the tests together.” We can study together!” His ambition, resilience, and grit were infectious, and truth be told it’s what I needed. We indeed studied together for forty-five days. The day, a Tuesday to be exact, the scores came out my students brought their parents, food, and celebratory items. A part of me was beyond scared to check the scores, although a part of me knew I passed. I guess failing in front of others was something I had not built up enough resilience for. So, I sent the username and password to my principal and had her check them. She came to play a prank on us but saw the eager little faces in the room and mine – She screamed: “you passed!” At that moment, fear crippled me. I learned then what fear could do to you but how resilience can dismantle such fear. I carried that teachable moment with me and still do throughout my educational journey. It has been over nine years and I have fought fear with resilience every time.
That is what I offer to Generation One. Quite honestly, I am Generation One. My childhood home is three blocks away, our students are the children of my neighbors or high school friends that I am still close to. When I walk on campus, I’ll admit everything I do for the teachers and the students and their families becomes personal. It is workmanship that will never be replicated because if you’re not from Third Ward, you will never understand no matter how much you familiarize yourself with the students and statistics and try to blend in with the families
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Traveling down the right road is never easy. You will question yourself. You will have people doubt you and tell you to turn around. It is during this mental anguish, I stop and consult my father; my Abba Father. His word fuels me and reminds me of the promises according to my life and the race I have to finish.
I would say to other women, be careful of the race you’re running. Make sure it’s yours. You would know for sure because his word will reveal it and it will not be easy. You will also quickly discover the gifts you have are fit for the race and no one else have them; It’s You. Every decision and action you make will be questioned. Do not fret, God chose you. You’re his pick and NO ONE can run this race but you. That within itself should encourage you and motivate you.
Alright – so let’s talk about your work. Tell us about Generation One – what should we know?
I am the Director of Academy for Generation One. I am responsible for the quality of education students receive, ongoing teacher professional development, and methods that parallel, if not answer, some of the Texas Long-Range Plans for Public Education.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
The world is evolving and women have just as much power as men. If there isn’t a position for you, create it. Do not box yourself into what society says you should do. Find your lane or create it. Walk in it and never justify why. As long as you and God are okay, the world will adjust.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3805 Burkett Street
Houston, TX 77004 - Website: www.generationone.net
- Phone: 7136548008
- Email: dyoung@generationone.net
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dominique.young.generationone
Image Credit:
Mekeala Joseph
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