Mrs. Mason was the best teacher I ever had. She made me feel valued. Our learning experience wasn't confined to just sitting in a classroom with pencil and paper. We engaged in activities and field trips. We performed "The Kwanzaa Play" and learned about the holiday's significance. She even arranged for Mr. Sir to teach us taekwondo in the school cafeteria, and we studied Mahatma Gandhi's life and principles. Later, she took us to an Indian restaurant.

I faced challenges with a learning disability, but Mrs. Mason adapted her teaching to help me grasp the material. She treated me like any other student, which meant a lot to me. I appreciated how she always acknowledged my unique spirit in the classroom.

Her support extended beyond school. I recall sharing with her about a dance performance at church, and she showed up to cheer us on. Mrs. Mason profoundly influenced my life in countless ways, contributing to who I am today. I will always remember how she empowered us and instilled a sense of worth in each of her students.

Jackie Ford
Hospitality Worker / Home Healthcare Provider

My experience as a student in my mother’s class was bittersweet; not only was I held accountable as a student, but I also went home with my teacher at the end of the day. Most people would assume that having my mother as my teacher would be easy, but that wasn’t the case. My mother being a teacher meant she held me to a higher standard and showed other students that they were equally capable and intelligent when given genuine care. At times, I felt singled out and criticized, which was difficult because it came from my mother.

Now that I’m older, I realize how much this affected not only my education but also others who might have doubted themselves without a strong support system. My mom didn’t just teach me that people of color are not a minority; she showed that strength lies in unity. The love she showed in the classroom was immediately effective, and results from students of every background proved this. There was equality in her room, though sometimes I felt like an outsider while other students seemed like her actual children. Yet, she demonstrated what could be achieved when everyone comes together as a unified majority—biological or not, every student was viewed as her child, and she took pride in that. As a student, this elevated my education and created a direct pathway to teacher-student learning.

Lamonta J. Steward-Baker
Son

My name is Nia Steward, and I serve as the Family Literacy Connector at Leschi Elementary School. I had the privilege of having Mrs. Mason, or "Ms. Baker" as she was known then, as my teacher from 6th to 8th grade. This period coincided with a pivotal time in my life, filled with challenges within my family. Mrs. Mason's classroom became my sanctuary; it was a place where I looked forward to every day. The atmosphere was familial and nurturing, adorned with African cloths, flags representing various cultural backgrounds, family portraits, and symbols celebrating our identities. My mother was deeply involved, volunteering weekly and supporting our learning community.

Living close by allowed me to witness my mother advocating for classmates and their families, often assisting with our cultural projects. Mrs. Mason's teaching incorporated diverse strategies such as visualization, music, photo analysis, responding to quotes, and exploring themes and motifs in cultural music that resonated with our community. For instance, we learned geometry through the cloth dance and created dioramas based on documentaries we watched and dissected together.

Reflecting on my time with Mrs. Mason, I realize how she equipped us not only with academic skills but also with life skills that have stayed with me. I even used Cornell Notes, a technique she introduced, throughout my college years. One profound educational experience was when Mrs. Mason introduced us to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina through Spike Lee's documentary "When the Levees Broke." Watching the film evoked a range of emotions as we connected the struggles depicted to our own experiences with social and political constructs of racism.

Through unpacking scenes from the documentary, we grappled with the harsh realities faced by marginalized communities. Witnessing the devastation and resilience of Black communities in New Orleans taught us profound lessons in gratitude and empathy. Mrs. Mason's culturally responsive teaching style created a safe space for us to explore these themes and develop a deeper understanding of humanity.

As an educator today, I find myself drawing from Mrs. Mason's approach, prioritizing a safe and inclusive learning environment and integrating culturally relevant curriculum. I now appreciate the importance of seeing oneself reflected in the learning experience, thanks to Mrs. Mason's impactful guidance. I am deeply grateful to her for enriching my learning journey with love, identity development, and a lasting sense of pride and joy in acquiring new skills.

I am committed to passing on these invaluable lessons to the next generation of upcoming Queens and Kings.

Throughout my daughter's educational journey, she encountered teachers who struggled to understand her unique perspective. She often felt like just another student in a desk, navigating a system that prioritized traditional, sometimes outdated teaching methods prescribed by the district. Mrs. Baker changed everything.

Under Mrs. Baker's guidance, my daughter found a teacher who not only understood her but celebrated her cultural identity. Mrs. Baker provided an environment where my daughter could embrace her heritage and take pride in her identity as a Black student. This experience was transformative; it showed her that individuals who looked like her could excel.

Mrs. Baker's dedication and approach to teaching reminded me of my own mother, who was also an educator. Like my mother, Mrs. Baker didn't leave her students behind at the end of the day; she carried them in her heart. She was relentless in supporting struggling students, finding innovative ways to meet them where they were. Mrs. Baker made learning enjoyable by infusing African American culture into every aspect of her teaching, including directing school plays.

Stephanie L. Sellers
Case Manager

I want to begin by acknowledging Letta Mason as an innovative educator. I have witnessed her consistently challenge students to discover and leverage their strengths. Great teachers, like Letta, establish profound connections with their students and families, demonstrating genuine care for them as individuals. Letta skillfully builds lifelong bonds with families, making accessibility to her students her mantra.

In today's complex world, millennial children face numerous challenges, and Letta is there to guide them, showing that they can achieve their full potential through academic growth and by embracing their authentic intelligences.

Letta brings all of this and more to the classroom. One of the most remarkable experiences I had was watching her integrate the lessons from Hurricane Katrina's impact on communities into her teaching. Even 15 years later, I vividly recall how she engaged students in discussions about community and global warming, sparking their eagerness to absorb knowledge and master new academic skills.

Mrs. Mason is not an ordinary teacher; she consistently exceeds expectations. She embodies the African Proverb: "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together." Letta genuinely cares about every student in her care, as well as those beyond her classroom. I commend her for dedicating her mind, body, and soul to her students and their families. Letta works tirelessly with her students, expecting nothing less than their whole selves, encouraging them to excel, dream, and soar like eagles long after they've left her classroom.

Letta remains a steadfast support for her students, offering guidance and wisdom whenever they seek it, even beyond their academic years. Her commitment to her students exemplifies true leadership in education, driven by her compassionate heart.

In closing, I am honored to see Letta Mason recognized for her exceptional contributions to education.

Sincerely,

LaRenda Myres
Community Activist, Advocate for Children, and Educator