Long Beach Branch NAACP Meeting: Sunday, May 17, 2015 at 3:00pm
Ernest McBride Sr. Park, 1550 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, Long Beach, CA 90801
www.lbcanaacp.org | mnaacp@gmail.com
Candice E. Browning
As an educator in the Long Beach Unified School District for 10years, Candice E.
Browning has had the opportunity to sow seeds of knowledge into future
generations, while encouraging them to water that knowledge with imagination
and watch it grow. Candice was introduced to education by her father, the late
Robert Browning, who instilled in her the value and importance of the Arts in
Education. She watched her father develop two successful programs in the Long
Beach Unified School District including the Jordan Performing Arts Magnet, and
Renaissance High School for the Arts. Witnessing his work exemplified for her
that the arts is an essential part of education. Students could be motivated to learn
while blossoming through creative expression.
Candice taught at Cabrillo High School for 8 years where she was an English and Theatre Arts teacher, and
served as Performing Arts Department Head for 2 years. She has been at McBride High School for the past
two years, where she is an English teacher and English Department Head, Activities Coordinator and
sponsors the McBride Performing Arts Club (P.A.C). She continues to integrate the arts into her work, and
hopes to continue to find creative to motivate her students.
Michael Dees
I've been teaching math for seventeen years now, fifteen of which have been
at Wilson High School inLong Beach. The first two years were a sort of boot camp at
Wilmington Middle School in LAUSD, for which, I am most grateful. I'm privileged
to live close to work which, for me, enhances the "neighborhood" experience of it all making a local difference. My life is enriched to the uttermost by the best family in the
world - my wife, Jennifer, and our four kiddos, Mason, Conley, Ella, and Oliver. As for
hobbies, photography tops the list so if you see me on my bike doing street
photography around town be sure to say hi. I also teach at my church
in Compton, CA which provides much joy as well, forging those relationships even
deeper as we reason together.
I suppose my teaching philosophy is relatively old school, some may even say simplistic. I believe that as a
teacher, you must know and love the material inside and out, have a knack for communicating it, and be
authoritative and loving enough to provide a good learning environment. This, of course, includes
regulating when you need to, but also caring enough to hear special concerns and making accommodations
when wisdom calls for it. The other side of the coin, and more important in my estimation, is the learning
that has taken place at home and among friends for the many years before a student reaches me. A fullorbed philosophy of education knows that kids learn from the womb to the tomb, especially when we think
they are not watching, and so a humble walk, working hard, respecting other people and their possessions,
goes a long way.
Mark Ennen
My name is Mark Ennen and I am honored to be nominated as an inspiring teacher who
makes a difference, especially from such a prestigious organization. I attended
California State University, Long Beach where I received a Bachelor’s Degree in
History and a Teaching Credential in Social Sciences. I then earned a Masters Degree
in Educational Administration at California State University Dominguez Hills. I study
and teach 8th grade United States History, drama and coach the school soccer team. I
have been doing this for 26 years. I enjoy stories of people and how they do great
things in the face of adversity. I believe history is the class whose purpose is to help us
to maintain a democratic government and that this government distinguishes us as
Americans, and as a country that has strived to improve itself historically. Most of all I
like to create and teach lessons that actively engage my students making history come alive in my
classroom.
Lori Grace
Lori Grace musician, educator, piano/vocal coach and creator of T.E.M.P.O. Learning
System is entering her 20th year of being an educator in the Long Beach Unified
School District. Her current assignment for the past six years has been on staff at
Polytechnic High School in choral music studies. Lori’s former assignments include,
Long Beach Jordan HS, Barton Elementary and Renaissance HS. In her spare time,
private piano and vocal lessons play a tremendous role in Lori’s day by making sure
the talent of tomorrow has a solid foundation in reading music, ear training and
developing skillful technique for being a successful musician. Lori is Pastor of
Worship Arts for Refiner’s Fire Fellowship United Church of Christ in Long Beach. She has served in this
capacity for the past 17 years, she recorded a praise and worship music project in 2005 with singing partner
Yalonda Peterson titled SOAR and plays keyboards with “Dave Broussard & Friends,”“Corney Mims &
The Know It Allz” and new soul band: “Blue n Brown Soul.” As an active member in the National
Association of Negro Musicians, The Edna Hammett-Porter Music Association Branch, Lori is the
scholarship chairperson for the George T. White III annual scholarship music event held each November
where the talents of budding musicians, dancers and singers showcase their talent.
Leslie Gombrich
“Justice cannot be for one side alone, but must be for both.” I am drawn to this
Eleanor Roosevelt quote because it is what I try to implement in my life and in my
teaching. Every student needs the skills and avenues to be successful individuals.
This world should not work for only some of its inhabitants but be inclusive. I
have taught U.S. History and World History at Millikan High for the last 20 years
and now teach U.S. History in Millikan’s PEACE Academy. When I went
through school in the 1980’s I received a one-sided view of the world; one that
was white and male. My history degree opened up a more heterogeneous and
multi-dimensional world for me. Learning about the history of women and groups
of all colors, nationalities, and socioeconomic backgrounds empowered me. I
wanted to take these stories and experiences and bring them to the students so they too would feel
empowered to better themselves and the communities they live in.
As a founding member of the PEACE Academy I was able to help take that passion for equality to another
level. I have been able to work with amazing social-justice-minded educators who believe that cultivating
academic success should not come at the expense of developing an ethical individual who wants to take
their skills and go out into the world and make it a better place. This is why the Academy chose Mary
McLeod Bethune’s quote as our motto: “Enter to Learn; Exit to Serve”. I love teaching and feel so honored
to teach in PEACE.
ThyJuan Harris
ThyJuan Harris has lived and worked in Long Beach for the past 41 years.
Her formative and character building years were spent with her grandparents
in Pennington, Alabama. ThyJuan contributes her character, virtue, and love
for people to the teaching she received from her parents, grandparents, and
the Word of God. Mrs. Harris is the wife of Elder Christopher E. Harris Sr.
They have three songs, Mark, Christopher, and Samuel. Mrs. Harris is a
graduate of California State University Long Beach and has a Bachelors
degree in Liberal Studies with a sociology Concentration and a Masters
Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She has taught for over 25 years. She
is currently employed by LBUSD in the capacity of a Support Provider for
the Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment Program and the Alternative Induction Pathway Program;
supporting teachers who need to obtain their California Profession Clear Teaching Credential.
Paul Henry
Paul B. Henry is an educator who has worked with the Long Beach Unified
School District since the fall of 2004. Paul is currently employed at Woodrow
Wilson Classical High School where he teaches Advanced Placement United
States History. During his tenure at Wilson High School Paul has worked
tirelessly to expand the Advanced Placement program to provide equal
opportunity to ALL students regardless of class, race or academic history
because he believes that success in Advanced Placement courses is the best
training for success in college. Enrollment in Advanced Placement history
courses has expanded to the point that Wilson Classical High School enrolls
more students and helps more students to successfully pass Advanced Placement
exams than any other school in the district. Paul was recently selected to lead the new Advanced Placement
Capstone Program at Wilson and most recently was elected Co-Chair of the History Department. When he
is not preparing his students for domination on the APUSH exam he serves as the coach for the Frosh/Soph
Boys Golf team.Paul is a dedicated father who has had the privilege of raising three girls and one boy,
Elizabeth, C.J., Viviane and Riley. Paul is blessed to be married to the incomparable Deborah Henry.
Melvin Jones
Let me begin by sharing with you a bit about myself. I graduated from California
State University at Los Angeles and earned a Master’s Degree in Education with an
emphasis in Multi-Cultural Teaching, from National University. I hold a dual
teaching credential in Physical Education, Social Studies and I’m currently pursuing
my National Board Certification in Exceptional Needs with an emphasis in “Gifted
And Talented Education”. I have been involved in our local public schools’
educational system at the secondary level for the past 17 years. I’m currently serving
as an independent study teacher/social studies deptartment head in one of our local
public school district’s alternative high school. My educational and athletic pursuits throughout the years
have afforded me the opportunity to explore and experience the great treasures of life that can be revealed
through teaching, learning and interacting with others. I have adopted an educational philosophy from two
aspiring quotes from both Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm El HaijShabazz, which reflects my
attitude and perspective towards education, "the function of education is to teach one to think intensely and
to think critically...intelligence plus character is the true goal of an education" and “Education is the
passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today”. In the 21st Century,
education is the passport to a global citizenship and it’s our role to prepare our youth for their future.
Tira Keeton
When I was a little girl, I had aspirations to become a doctor, a marine biologist, a
journalist, a police officer, or an FBI agent. Becoming a teacher was not a career that I
even considered. However, that all changed when I became employed as a college
instructional aide assigned to primarily work with students who had difficulty with
maintaining grade level expectations. Working with these students was a rewarding
experience because I noticed how I made a difference in their lives; academically and
emotionally. This experience certainly diverted my career goals in a different direction. I
had to teach!
I have been a teacher with Long Beach Unified School District for almost 19 years,
having taught second grade for 17 of them, and middle school for two. Currently I teach
middle school-level Ancient World History, English/Language Arts, and Long Beach Scholars at Newcomb
Academy. My motto for all of my students is “Can’t is not an option.” My students learn that the word
“can’t” limits their possibilities for the future and may impede their ability to strive for success.
Sunday McCarty
After graduating with my Bachelors Degree in Liberal Studies: Historical
Perspectives from California State University, Long Beach. I began teaching in Long
Beach Unified in 2002. I grew up in Long Beach and always envisioned myself
becoming a teacher in the district I knew and loved. I have enjoyed teaching primary
grades and love my current middle school position as an eighth grade U.S history
teacher. I come from a family full of educators and found myself in 2005 following in
their footsteps to further my education. I attended California State University,
Dominguez Hills and obtained my Masters Degree in Educational Administration.
I am proud mother of two beautiful children. I hope they learn from me the value in
education the way I learned from my many family members. I love my career. It's not based on money but
the joy I receive when my students make connections in their lives. I may be teaching the next President,
surgeon, or teacher and the possibilities are endless but knowing I played a part in them reaching their
dreams is priceless.
Jennifer Santo
My name is Jennifer Arkus Santo and I attended National University in Costa Mesa,
California. I started my teaching profession at Jordan High School, in the Special
Education Department in February 2000. I currently still work for the Long Beach
Unified School District and hold a position at Rogers Middle School. I recently earned
my Masters of Science in Special Education.To me, teaching is more than just a job.
It's a calling. It's an ever-surprising mix of hard work and ecstatic successes, both big
and small. Each day there are challenges, but everyday the challenges are over come.
My career is more than just a great schedule and paycheck, it a chance to help our
future generation gain the skills they will need in order to achieve what they want and
need in the their future.There have been two teachers that have influenced my teaching
profession, my mother, Phyllis Arkus and my colleague Naomi Rainey.
Michael Tinsely
Deep down I have always rooted for and believed in the “underdog”. I believe that no
matter what, regular people make a mark on history and society. I went into education
to help those who need the help and the “underdog”. My goal is to try and provide
insight into what students can do to make this a reality. It isn’t always easy but I still
fight for these kids so they can hopefully make a lasting mark on society. My former
colleague and friend Tony Rogers said so eloquently, “I might not live in the
community, but at least I work in the community.” I think of this quote a lot and I
draw strength from his words. I have taught in Long Beach schools for almost twenty
years and in that time I have learned a lot about myself and the community. Long Beach is an extremely
dynamic place with its fair share of big city problems. So I wanted to teach in an equally dynamic place.
Poly is my home and on a daily basis I strive to help ALL of my students see that achievement is possible.
Racquel Welch
Racquel Welch has been a trailblazer from the first time she recognized the social,
economic and political imbalance that exist and persist in contemporary American
life. Her drive and passion for equity was underscored early when she realized the
talents of her younger brother, which were somehow overlooked by the schools he
attended. As a result, she laid out a game plan for him that involved attending
college. He is now a productive young family man with major responsibility as the
Manager of Platform Technology for NBC Universal. As an example of her efforts
to bring a “holistic” approach to students and learning, Racquel has developed an English Department
handbook to address the processional development needs of teachers at Hamilton Middle School, with the
thought of adding standards-based and student-centered structure to teaching English that would create a
more favorable learning climate. In addition, she has served as a member of the committee in the
development and implementation of the “Sons to Scholars” project, an initiative of the 100 Black Men of
Long Beach, Inc., in partnership with the LBUSD to improve the academic skills and interests of 6th grade
African-American males. Racquel has taught courses in Social Science at LBCC and CSULB. Racquel and
her husband Mark reside in Long Beach and are the proud parents of two children, Niyah and Makai.
Kathy Phelps-teacher at Fremont Elementary School
Joe Battle-teacher at Cabrillo High School