Men in ECE: Meet Mr. Johnathon Hines
As we end the month of June, we want to introduce you to Mr. Johnathon Hines. As a 2006 graduate of Towers High School, Johnathon Hines is a product of the DeKalb County School District. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Health and Physical Education from Albany State University and a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University. The opportunity to serve as the first African-American Public School Pre-K Teacher of the Year for the entire State of Georgia and give back to the community that has given so much to him is profoundly rewarding. He serves as one of two pre-kindergarten teachers at DeKalb County School District’s Barack H. Obama Elementary Magnet School of Technology, the first public school in the Southeast named in honor of our 44th President of the United States.
Mr. Hines attended Albany State University on a full athletic scholarship in basketball. After graduating from Albany State, he went on to play professionally in South America (Peru). When he returned, he decided to go into the field of education because he was passionate about mentoring and working with children. Mr. Hines has earned the respect of the entire school community and has the ability to ignite the fire of learning in pre-kindergarten students. Over the years, data has shown that many of Mr. Hines’ students go on to be the top-performing students in kindergarten.
Mr. Hines understands that a first impression is a lasting impression for children, so he provides an exciting learning experience for his students each day. He also teaches his students to serve others through community service and exhibit good character each day. Additionally, Mr. Hines understands that in the Black community there is a shortage of exposure to positive African-American males because many of our students come from single-parent homes. He wants to show children that African American men can be heroes in everyday roles, like teaching. They don’t have to be entertainers or athletes to impact the world.
In honor of his work and his impact in the field of education, Mr. Hines recently made history as the first African American male to be named the 2019-20 Public School Pre-K Teacher of the year for the entire State of Georgia. He has truly earned this title through his work and good deeds. He is honored to be chosen for this recognition and plans to use this platform to inspire other men to teach at the elementary level, where very few males are in the ranks. He is an everyday hero, who is changing this world one child at a time.
In his spare time, Mr. Hines enjoys spending time with his daughter, listening to music, traveling, coaching football and basketball, and spending quality time with friends and family. Mr. Hines is the proud son of Mr. John Hines and Ms. Michelle Thomas and he has four siblings (Xavier, Jashun, Bianca, and Johntavia). Bennyta and Johnathon are the proud parents of their six-year-old daughter, Ms. Jaelle Hines.
Here are a few words from Mr. Hines speaking about what has motivated him to work in this field every day:
A major (Why) that influenced my decision to become an educator was the lack of African American male teachers in classrooms. It is so important for a positive, male role model to be involved in a child's life in any facet. I wanted to be able to show children that a Black man does not have to play a professional sport to be successful to have a major impact on this world. I wanted to show them that heroes and role models are teachers and that the most difficult plays happen in the classroom. I quickly understood that a first impression is a lasting impression on children, so I provide an exciting learning experience for my students each day.
I also teach my students to serve others through community service and exhibit good character each day. Giving back to the community is very important to me. I was raised to believe that community service is an important part of learning how to become a responsible, caring, and kind person. I am very enthusiastic about teaching my students the importance of being a kind human and the importance of being of service to others. That is a major reason why I teach in communities where students are a reflection of me. I was once that student sitting in those same classrooms living in those same communities. I wanted to be a living walking speaking example of what our communities can produce.
Additionally, I understand that in my community there is a shortage of exposure to positive African American males because many of our students come from single-parent homes. I want to show children that African American men can be heroes in an everyday roles, like teaching. They don’t have to be entertainers or athletes to impact the world. After reaching a certain level of success in my teaching career, other schools have reached out to me to be a part of their school environments. However, my love and skills are needed in the community that I serve because as a teacher in the 21st century, I have to prepare my students to become leaders that will change the fabric of America.