By: Joseph Jackson and Lindsay James
James Young, a sixth-grade Musical Theatre, Vocal Music and Guitar teacher in the Ferguson-Florissant R-2 School District, was named Missouri’s 2022 State Teacher of the Year in September. As the oldest of eight siblings and an Army veteran, Young brings a unique perspective to his students at the Johnson-Wabash 6th Grade Center.
Young is quick to admit that he didn’t grow up with dreams of teaching. He instead aspired to be a rock star – the fifth member of Boys II Men, to be exact. Throughout his school years, and with the encouragement of his beloved grandmother, the Ferguson native spent ample time creating music with his friends and siblings. Later on, Young performed with his band at several St. Louis music venues and embraced the local musician life.
However, those dreams of touring and performing in the spotlight eventually transformed into a drive to give back to the community and Young found himself on a much different stage – the classroom.
Young returned to school and received a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. With a freshly hand-painted classroom and an abundance of excitement, he began his new life as a teacher in August 2006.
“Man was I in for a surprise,” Young laughed. “The first day was good but as the days went on, I realized… ‘Wow, this is a lot harder than I thought it would be.’ They said the first year would be tough and it was for me.”
Through the trials of teaching, Young found what he often refers to as his life’s true calling.
“I think teaching is more than just a job, it’s a mission to my community,” Young said. “I’m a man of faith and I believe that my faith is what keeps me strong through the mission of teaching.”
Young says some of the highlights of his work are moments when he makes connections with students, and they let him know that he made a difference.
“There are moments as a performing artist teacher when you’re pulling out your hair because it seems like students aren’t getting it in the classroom,” he said. “But come concert night they show out and show off, and that's such a good feeling.”
Past students have reached out years later to share with Young that he is the reason they still play music. Others have apologized for not playing music anymore but let him know that they still enjoyed his class.
“It’s not just about the music, it’s about their success,” Young said. “Would it be awesome if they grew up to be professional musicians? Yes. But my bigger goal is that they are successful in whatever they decide to do and hopefully carry the lessons I taught them while they were here."
This positive outlook and genuine love for his profession is what led James Young to where he is today – in his fifteenth year of teaching with an award that reads "2022 Missouri State Teacher of the Year."
What does it mean to be named Missouri State Teacher of the Year?
“It means a lot and the word that keeps coming back to my mind is legacy. When I got out of the Army, I went through a time where I was trying to find my purpose for what I was doing in life. I had the privilege of staying with my grandmother (a retired music teacher from the district) after I was on my own for a while. So, it means carrying on her legacy, the legacy of my great-grandmother, all that my parents taught me and the legacy of this community.”
What is your life’s mission?
“Teaching is tied to the mission of my life overall, but I think my mission is to be a light in the community - to express my faith through my work. I believe in God and have a strong faith. There’s a saying that goes ‘faith without works is dead.’ I want to be someone who students can look to as a mentor, to partner with parents, to partner with community leaders, to partner with my school… to give students the best advantage to be successful in life. I’m very passionate about this area. I grew up here and graduated from Ferguson-Florissant schools. I feel like for a lot of students, I’m more than a teacher. I see my students as family. I try to teach them the way I would want a teacher to teach my own children.”
Do your students have a nickname for you?
“When they’re not calling me Mr. Young, sometimes they call me Obama. Especially when I have my mask on and my ears kind of crop out a little bit. They say, ‘What’s up Obama?’ And they’ll give me dap.”
Do you have any words of encouragement to your students or fellow educators?
“An encouragement to my students would be that the future is bright for you. There are so many opportunities available and it’s just a matter of being open to wisdom from others coupled with your own creative talent. You have something valuable to offer the world. Use healthy relationships, friendships, mentoring and teaching to your advantage in a way that’s going to prepare you to be who you’re called to be no matter what life has in store for you.
For educators, I would say just keep on keeping on. It’s a phrase that my wife’s grandmother would say with a big smile. Keep doing the work. Keep going back each day and each year is going to get better. I know it doesn’t seem like it sometimes but, if we hang in there and persevere, we’re going to get through this and we’re