Hello reader, thanks for reading my story!

I've been a part of Black Men Teach for four years, having joined the fellowship in my sophomore year of college. I recently graduated from the University of St. Thomas in May and soon after accepted a position at Monroe Elementary as a 4th-grade teacher. I did my student teaching at Monroe with Mr. White, and that experience certainly shaped me for my responsibilities now.

I would describe myself as a complex yet simple man. A man who loves those around him and has been blessed by the riches of experiences in life.

Through my years in college, I've discovered my purpose, seen my life and the life of others be transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ, made lifelong friends and memories, and met the love of my life—who I will marry on June 8th, 2025!
‍

It takes a village!

Hello reader, thanks for reading my story!

My name is

David A.

But my wonderful students call me

Mr. Ayeni

I teach

5th Grade

at BMT Partner School

Teaching Fellow

Did you know in the State of Minnesota only

1 in 200

elementary teachers are Black Men? That's half of 1%.

I am a Black Male Teacher,

I am an impactful and inspiring leader.

My name is

David A.

But my wonderful students call me

Mr. Ayeni

I am proud half-percent, this is my story.

David

BMT Teacher

Read Interview

BMT Teacher

David

BMT Teacher

Teaching Fellow

It takes a village!

Hello Reader!
Thanks for being here and reading my story. I appreciate you taking the time to get to know me and Black Men Teach.

My name is

David A.

But my wonderful students call me

Mr. Ayeni

I teach

5th Grade

at a BMT Partner School!

Teaching Fellow

THIS IS MY STORY

It takes a village!

9 QUESTIONS

WITH

David

1 How many years have you been teaching?

1

2 What does it mean to be a Black male teacher?

It means to love each student in a way that's genuine and up-lifting. It also means to be apart of a movement that is challenging the limits society has placed on each individual.

3 What grade did you have your first Black male teacher? What's one big takeaway you gained from that experience?

My first black teacher was in 10th Grade for an African American History class.

I gained an understanding of how the people who decide to truly invest in you are amazing beyond what words can describe.

‍

4 What's your favorite subject to teach? Why?

My favorite subject to teach is English because of all the fun connections students can make and how it challenges all of us to see things from a different lens.

5 What's a one-liner you use all the time in the classroom?

Before you breathe...put your name on your paper.

6 List three words your students would use to describe you.

Unique

Passionate

Supportive

7 What is your favorite activity to do with your students?

Guessing Games

8 If you could take your students on a fieldtrip to any place around the world, where would you take them?

England

9 What’s your favorite movie or TV show, favorite book, and go-to after-school snack?

Favorite Movie or TV Show:
Lean on Me

Favorite Book:
Surprised By Hope by N.T Wright

Go-To After-School Snack:
Snickers

1

How many years have you been teaching?

1

It means to love each student in a way that's genuine and up-lifting. It also means to be apart of a movement that is challenging the limits society has placed on each individual.

2

What does it mean to be a Black male teacher?

2

‍

3

What grade did you have your first Black male teacher? What's one big takeaway you gained from that experience?

3

My favorite subject to teach is English because of all the fun connections students can make and how it challenges all of us to see things from a different lens.

4

What's your favorite subject to teach? Why?

4

Before you breathe...put your name on your paper.

5

What's a one-liner you use all the time in the classroom?

5 Unique

Passionate

Supportive

6

List three words your students would use to describe you.

6

Guessing Games

7

What is your favorite activity to do with your students?

7

England

8

If you could take your students on a fieldtrip to any place around the world, where would you take them?

8

Favorite Movie or TV Show:
Lean on Me

Favorite Book:
Surprised By Hope by N.T Wright

Go-To After-School Snack:
Snickers

9

What’s your favorite movie or TV show, favorite book, and go-to after-school snack?

9 Other BMT Teachers

Raphael

BMT Educator

View Story

Hello

my name is

David A.

Mr. Ayeni

AKA

OUR MISSION:

OUR VISION:

BMT STORIES

Get to know our torch-bearing BMT Teachers.

HELLO!

GREETINGS!

WHAT'S UP?!

COMO ESTAS?!

Yo!

Hola!

How are you?!

What's New?!

Collective Passion

Joy

Gravity

Excellence

Authenticity

Impact

Equity

Leadership

David

BMT Teacher

BMT Teacher

David

BMT Teacher

Teaching Fellow

THIS IS MY STORY

9 QUESTIONS

WITH

David

1

How many years have you been teaching?

1

2

What does it mean to be a Black male teacher?

3

What grade did you have your first Black male teacher? What's one big takeaway you gained from that experience?

4

What's your favorite subject to teach? Why?

5

What's a one-liner you use all the time in the classroom?

6

List three words your students would use to describe you.

Unique

Passionate

Supportive

7

What is your favorite activity to do with your students?

Guessing Games

8

If you could take your students on a fieldtrip to any place around the world, where would you take them?

England

9

What’s your favorite movie or TV show, favorite book, and go-to after-school snack?

1

1

How many years have you been teaching?

1

2

What does it mean to be a Black male teacher?

2

3

What grade did you have your first Black male teacher? What's one big takeaway you gained from that experience?

3

4

What's your favorite subject to teach? Why?

4

5

What's a one-liner you use all the time in the classroom?

5

Unique

Passionate

Supportive

6

List three words your students would use to describe you.

YOUR VOICE MATTERS,
REACH OUT TODAY.