Today we’d like to introduce you to Alec Virgil.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It hasn’t been by skill only, that’s gotten me in the position to empower others for success.
It has been the love of Jesus, and my caring nature that transcends my classroom and spills over into the community as well, where I devote a lot of my time to serving others by volunteering with the homeless and visiting seniors in nursing homes to brighten their day and provide them with vital conversations that help bring happiness.
I have decided to make a career in education because I have always had an interest in learning. From a young age, I enjoyed school. My parents introduced me to books at a very young age. I began reading at around 3 years old, which led me to discover my passion for learning. Reading, writing, and teaching are not only a way of storytelling, but it also allows me to leave behind some sort of legacy through my work as an educator.
I am from Wilson, NC where I graduated from Fike High School. I then graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Sociology. After graduation, I became a middle school teacher of Social Studies. I am a devoted husband, son, teacher, and mentor. I graduated college thinking I wanted a corporate job like everyone else around me. I had little experience in this sector.
My first internship as an undergrad student was at a marketing company owned by my mentor, Dr. Kemah Washington. He gave me my first opportunity to do some corporate work – you know, I had a desk, a modern shared office, I made some calls, did some graphic design work, and it was also an excellent chance to network with other corporate professionals. It was one of the best experiences I could ask for as an undergraduate student.
There were 3 highlights of this experience: a. the chance to work under a top business-oriented professional who had owned and operated multiple businesses b. I had opportunities that would strengthen my skill set and resume and c. I started my first company called Gentleman’s Choice Kollection. Indeed, it was an opportunity of a lifetime. Finally, when I graduated, I thought I wanted that corporate life. There were 3 things I thought I wanted and needed to upgrade my life: a. a fancy office b. to be a part of a large company c. to feel like I was important because I had a fancy little office job.
In fact, because Dr. Washington is such a great person, he introduced me to someone who worked for a potential company that I would go to work for after graduating from college. I thought it was going to be a dream come true. It had all the things I wanted for myself. The first day or so was solid, but I was a bit skeptical about what I had chosen to do. On the 3rd day, I was miserable as soon as I woke up and when my feet hit the floor. I felt like I was missing out on my purpose by being confined to that so-called “fancy office.”
The question became: Am I missing out on my purpose? Here’s how I knew. One: the job wasn’t fulfilling. And the second thing that confirmed it was, at the very thought of doing something more inspiring like working with children, my heart lit up! So instead of a corporate job, I became a teacher.
My choice to become a teacher came from my childhood where I experienced things such as having parents who may have struggled financially but did best to provide everything I needed and desired, or earned is a better word. Watching my family members work long hours at jobs they weren’t passionate about.
While many factors went into my decision to become a teacher, I decided to become one because I want to make an impact on children’s lives by helping them discover their passions in life so they can go off into college or begin careers in fields that they enjoy. I have always been interested in education, especially adolescent education.
I worked as a camp counselor at an after-school program with the Boys and Girls Club for two years when I was an undergraduate student. What started as a job ended up becoming my field experience where I fell in love with children and their enthusiasm to learn new things. They were eager to share what they had learned; it was amazing how much they did know even though they were only teenagers!
I have always wanted to work in community service because I have seen firsthand how much can be accomplished when one individual decides to put others before him or herself. Although middle school education is my chosen career path, teaching through example is going to make more of an impact than any lesson plan could ever do. By living a life of service, I will hopefully inspire others to do so as well.
My passion has been teaching and impacting lives. That’s what I love most about being in the classroom and community every day. I have earned Teacher of the Year honors 3 times in my 5 years of teaching; this year, in my 5th year of teaching, I was awarded the 2022 African American Male Teacher of the Year by the Marathon Teaching Institute by the School of Education at North Carolina Central University.
Also this year, I was initiated into the National Society of Leadership and Success as a Presidential member for having maintained a 4.0 GPA as a current student at East Carolina University.
Yes, I am a teacher, and as an entrepreneur, I have been blessed to be featured by a wide range of organizations such as Essence magazine and the National Kappa League Summit. As a speaker, my words have continued to make a global impact on tens of thousands of people. As a teacher, I never get tired of using my energy to make a difference, well-beyond the classroom, and into reality. I am a man on a mission to enhance lives socially, emotionally, and academically.
I am open to addressing audiences from the East Coast to the West Coast; From coaching and leading workshops and seminars with adults to teaching young children new skills. I am about servanthood, leadership, scholarship, and character. Middle grades education has a powerful impact on children, so it’s no surprise that I chose to concentrate my career in an area that touches so many lives.
I look forward to impacting thousands of communities around the world by teaching students how to find their voice and passion while creating a well-rounded experience. My goal is to be more than a teacher; I want my students to know me as their trusted friend who will always have their back.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Born in Wilson, North Carolina, my childhood was not always easy. My parents worked very hard to support our family. They fought hard every day so that we could have a chance at success in life. My father and mother worked tirelessly in order to make sure we had everything we needed including good food for dinner every night and toys at Christmas.
I would sometimes wonder why she would work so early in the morning and then go back to work at night. I could have asked her why she didn’t quit her job so that she could stay home, but she wouldn’t allow it because that’s not how she did things; instead, she worked herself late hours and early mornings so that she can provide for our family, especially when my grandmother got sick and we had to spend many days and nights with her because she needed 24-hour supervision. After graduating from high school, I knew I wanted to pursue an education beyond high school.
My mom had graduated from college and my dad went to the Marine Corps. I was a very decent student in high school, but I did not take the SATs well. So when it came time to apply for colleges, there were only two schools that accepted me—North Carolina Central University (NCCU) and NC State University (NCSU). Although NCCU was where a few of my friends went and I felt comfortable there; NCSU seemed like a better fit since it offered me more opportunities in academics than NCCU did.
On January 2022, one of my best friends, mentors, and long-time supporters, Coach Reggie, died as a result of Covid 19. He was only 43 years old. He was a leader in the community. Coach Reggie’s tireless efforts saved so many youth from a life on the streets. I was one of them. He’d pick me up from school for athletic competitions, we went to church on most Friday nights, and we spent time with each other during many other activities. He was always a cheery, friendly, helpful person that gave his heart and soul to make people better.
After his death, I grieved the physical loss of him, but I know that he’s still spiritually with me, because I got the divine strength and wisdom I needed to face my difficult teenage students every day. Lots of the kids I work with have lives on the streets and in gangs. My work is to show them the type of love that comes from a Black man, is educated, and isn’t wimpy. I’m their role model now. I’m Mr. African American Male Teacher of the Year! My goal is to be an inspiration to all those around me.
To prove that you can succeed if you put your mind and heart into it! I want to be a beacon of hope for all those who are lost or feel alone! It’s not about being great, it’s about doing great things! That’s what defines greatness! We should never forget our roots or where we came from! When life gets hard, remember how far you’ve come… and never give up! Be great! Always stand tall!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
This is an amazing time to be a teacher in America – I am a middle grades Social Studies teacher. I am proud to be an educator, and I know that through my work at my school, within my community, and with youth across America, I can have a positive impact on those who need it most. It is not enough to just teach students how to think; I believe we should also teach them how to live their lives by setting examples as committed individuals ourselves.
As a teacher, I work to make sure our school is a safe haven for all children, including young children of color. I challenge the stereotypes and show our youth that they can achieve anything they set their minds to—even if they don’t fit into everyone else’s definition of success. As a young Black male teacher myself, I understand what it feels like to walk into a classroom where you are not always welcomed or accepted. My job isn’t just to impart knowledge but also to provide support and mentorship.
My goal is to help every student succeed, regardless of his or her race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or socioeconomic status. My mission is bigger than me; it’s about empowering each student so he or she can go out into the world ready to change it for good. No matter where I am in my journey as an educator, one thing that never changes is my dedication to my students.
As I reflect back upon my career thus far, there are so many moments that stand out but perhaps none more significant than when I asked myself what was missing for our Black male students? Why wasn’t there more attention given to them? Why did it seem like their plight was easily overlooked and ignored? These are questions that were burning inside me from day one and still burn today.
But now, I have answers to these important questions because I have seen first-hand how we can make a difference by helping Black males succeed. It has been said that if you want something done right then you must do it yourself. This is why after years of contemplation and research, I decided to take matters into my own hands by Operation 252 – a series of leadership reaction courses and service events for young people. Through Operation 252, young people get to feel what it’s like to put the needs of others before their own.
Teaching is my profession and life-calling. When I remember that my students need me—and that one day they might hold some small, yet significant position in society—it’s an incredible motivator to get out of bed and be more than just a teacher but someone they can look up to as a man and mentor in their lives.
That’s why today, I am honored to announce that my teaching career has been recognized by the nationally recognized Marathon Teaching Institute (MTI) with the conferment of African American Male Teacher of The Year Award! Let me tell you how important it is to have representation at all levels within our education system. Students often find themselves lost without anyone who looks like them or comes from similar backgrounds.
As a result, I believe it’s vital that we continue to elevate those educators who are doing great work not only in their classrooms but also in our communities. And while my passion lies within being an educator, I would also like to continue using my platform as a way to help support other men of color and encourage them to pursue careers in education as well.
In fact, I hope to inspire young men across America by becoming one of the first and few men ever nominated for such an award. So thank you MTI for recognizing my hard work and dedication as a black male educator. I will use my platform to advocate for better funding opportunities so that we can ensure every child receives a quality education regardless of race or socioeconomic status.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
The Covid-19 crisis has taught me that life is too short for indecision. When there is an opportunity to do something for the greater good, it needs to be done.
The crisis has not only opened my eyes to new opportunities, but has given me an opportunity to grow as a person and leader. When I accepted the responsibility to take action and help people who could not afford to get food into their homes, I realized I was doing something of dignity.
I was able to organize grocery distribution centers. Community members from all across North Carolina tapped into the effort and took action to help those who had lost their jobs due to Covid and could no longer afford to provide for their families.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.alecvirgil.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/iamalecvirgil
- Facebook: facebook.com/iamalecvirgil
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNZO8etN-jxghfyVI-b9xsg
Image Credits
Joshua Robinson and Myrlie Evers-Williams
