American Experts with Joyce Randall, Acclaimed Minister and Educator

Joyce Randall Interview: 1,300 WORDS

Q I’m talking Joyce Randall. This interview is called American Expert and it’s about your life, how you became, and who you are. Where were you born?

In the area around Memphis, TN.

Q Did you grow up there? Did you go to elementary school and high school there?

I went to elementary school, but in the 5th grade moved to Los Angeles.

Q Why did your family move here, what was the dream of Los Angeles at this time?

My mother told me once I entered the Master’s program that she moved here so I could qualify as a resident to go to UCLA. I asked her, “What if I don’t get in? She said that never crossed her mind.

So you moved here to Los Angeles in 5th grade, where did you live?

We lived right next to my aunt right off of Fairfax and Adams in Mid City.

Q Are you a good student?

I was an excellent student. My mom was always at my school to see me get awards and honors that I received. It was very hard because she was in nursing and worked at night, but she would be home during the day. But I didn’t care. I wanted her to sit there for my award.

Q So, now you go to high school where my dear friend?

Crenshaw High School. I was determined to go to high school in my own culture and I was very happy.

Q Where did you end up going to college?

UCLA, just like my mom predicted.

Q What was your field of study?

My major was Psychology. My electives I took allowed me to qualify for my credential in Scient.

Q What year did you graduate?

1979.

Q What becomes of you after? What job?

I went into the teaching credential program and the graduate school was Information and Education Studies. I became a teacher.

Q When did you first know you wanted to be a teacher?

I knew how to read and write since my mother taught before kindergarten. My father was one of the carpenters for the Memphis school board. Every year I had a brand-new chalkboard and all the chalk I could use. My uncle worked for the paper mill so I had as much paper, pens, and crayons I could use. I was always a studious persona and always wanted to be the teacher.

Q When did you become a teacher?

1981.

Q What subject do you most enjoy teaching?

I am a science teacher. I love teaching Life Science, Biology, and Health.

Q What are your concerns about seeing the public education system in America?

I believe at ground zero level; teachers need support in the classroom. Even though schools get out at 2:15, I do not get done supporting my classroom instructions until about 9:00. Who is left to call parents to follow up on assignments? I believe that parents are key to the student’s success. If their parents don’t know, the student won’t do well.

Q So, if students don’t have their parents and their home life is a disaster, the student will not succeed? Is that a true statement?

Yes. But you have a few students who are on Skidrow that went to Harvard. It’s making sure you have a connection with their parents. I had a lot of Spanish speaking students and the parents don’t speak English. So, I give basic Spanish words and they hurry up and get somebody to tell them what I am saying. Then they thank me.

Q There are a lot of single-family homes today. It seems it’s harder for students to educate from that, is that true?

That’s true.

Q How do teachers attempt to compensate for the really bad home kids come from?

You have to open your mind. Education is the key and way out of any circumstance. Once you get that education, nobody can take that away from you.

Q Do you feel parents generally feel today they are preparing their children for modest achievement for public education?

I believe all parents want their child to do better than they did. Even if they have no or little education they want their child educated.

Q When you look at single parent homes, what are the challenges they face?

They face a lackey situation. You have a parent who has to go to work, but that student is unattended. I hate to say it but back in the day, if we were out of line my mother could call over the phone and threaten you. You knew she wasn’t playing with you and you knew you would get snatched up when she got back. Nowadays, you can’t handle your children like that because they see it as abuse but as soon as they turn 18, they can be beaten down and it’s OK.

Q It seems to me too many parents are making the mistake of being their kids’ friend, is that true? What is the tragic mistake of trying to be your kids’ friend?

When you make the tragic mistake of being your children’s friend, you are taking away their respect for good authority. For authority that is in place for a reason. If you take a chick out of its egg it will never walk properly, and it is going to be all wobbly. But if you leave it in the egg and let it work its way out of the egg it will get tougher and stronger because it has to go through the work. You are not letting your child go through the work being their friend. You are doing everything for them and when it is time for the child to stand up on their own, they can’t.

Q How many years have you been a teacher?

22 years. I came out of the teaching profession which is how I became a full-time employee for First AME Church.

Q As a teacher, have you won any awards or accommodations as a teacher? I have won every award and accommodation you can from all over Southern California. That is why I can sit back now and push everyone else. Not saying they need it, but it is somebody else’s turn. I have been out of the classroom as in Administrative Training. I love being out of the classroom, the farther you are out of it the more you are impacting lives. I want to be able to impact everyone.

Q Is it harder to be a teacher today in the public school than 25 years ago.

Absolutely, because parents have allowed their children to not be accountable for their behavior. So, they bring that into the classroom. My job as a teacher is to turn their curiosity into something I can use for education. In other words, when I give them assignments or projects and they give it back to me not in the way I asked for it. As an artist, I shall not fail their efforts and tweak that to get in the work.