I Am Educator Inspired

“Many years ago, a teacher pulled me aside and sat me down after class and asked me why I was failing her class. And I sat there quietly for a moment, and responded honestly and said that my father had recently passed away, a couple of days before the school year, and that I honestly, I just wasn’t inspired. I didn’t want to be there.

She took a moment and proceeded to tell me how that wasn’t an excuse, and thought I was better than that, thought I was smarter than that, and just knew I could do better. And that conversation, as hard as it was to hear, was the tough love I needed.

And I actually walked away inspired and encouraged and ended up doing a lot better and became quite close with this professor who a couple of years later wrote me a letter telling me that I should study acting, and then later on a letter of recommendation. And later on I lived with her for a period of time at a college when I was in a tough spot and needed a place to stay.

And so the love, care, and investment in … my personal well-being, which I saw her dole out to other people as well, was something that impacted my life. She made an indelible impact on my life. And so I want to thank Victoria Trussell, and all the teachers out there that are working to uplift these students, and help elevate them, and push them on into better places and better experiences, and being able to live full lives.”

Born in Oakland, California, Mahershala Ali received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications at St. Mary’s College and his Master of Fine Arts in Drama from the Tisch School of the Arts, New York University. Ali has excelled on the stage, television and film. A two-time Academy Award winner for Best Supporting Actor, Ali’s long list of accolades includes a Golden Globe award, Screen Actor’s Guild award and a Primetime Emmy.