Meet Mia Young-Adeyeba | Teacher / Administrator of Distance Learning Educators
We had the good fortune of connecting with Mia Young-Adeyeba and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Mia, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Distance Learning Educators is a global community of educators who came together during the pandemic to share resources and to support one another. Distance Learning Educators leverages the power of educators’ vast knowledge and experience to enhance the quality of instruction and digital engagement for students during this unprecedented time.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Being a product of the public school system came with its perks and drawbacks. I grew up in South LA, but due to overcrowded schools in my neighborhood, I was bussed to the westside where I attended University High School. I was an average student taking regular classes and earned As and Bs. The perks were that I was exposed to cultures and experiences I might not have encountered elsewhere, such as participating in two summer abroad programs in Europe. The drawback is that I never felt challenged or pushed hard to improve my writing, therefore I always lacked confidence in my writing abilities. This lack of confidence almost prevented me from applying to college! When I started college, I declared a Sociology major but found the writing courses more enjoyable and engaging. As a result, I changed my major to English and ultimately became an English teacher.
Distance learning has definitely shaken up the world of education. Educators are now coming to terms with the inequities in the education system and I see this as a turning point if districts take the time to reflect and enact change. From shifting grading practices, incorporating social-emotional supports, and developing culturally relevant curriculum – there is a real chance for positive change.
My colleague, Michelle Touceda, and I realized that educators were scrambling when schools closed due to the pandemic and as a result, we created a Facebook page called Distance Learning Educators. Distance Learning Educators leverages the power of educators’ vast knowledge and experience to enhance the quality of instruction and digital engagement for students during this unprecedented time. The group quickly evolved into an international collaborative community of 25,000 educators from over a dozen countries supporting each other and sharing resources. From managing the group, I have learned the power of collaboration and the need to continue to create spaces for educators to share their expertise. Michelle and I met in a Zoom breakout room during a professional development training last summer and hit it off immediately.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I recently discovered Mount Rubidoux after catching a glimpse of it on a TV show. I made the trek from L.A to Riverside and it is really a hidden gem – to me of course. I mentioned it to others and they all knew about it! So if a friend came into town, we’d probably grab a coffee and French toast at South LA Cafe (get the Mocha South LA Freeze!) take a hike on Mount Rubidoux, have a relaxing walk and talk through Leimert Park, ride bikes from Manhatten Beach to Will Rogers Beach, order goodies from Leimert Pie, and end our days in at Ocean View Park near Santa Monica to watch the sunset.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I recently asked on Twitter (@WestsidehsTeach), “Are you the teacher you needed as a student?” I was surprised by both the number of responses and the variety. For myself, as a student at University High School, I had two amazing teachers, Ms. R. Lomeli, and Mrs. Stein (Clark). My gratitude to them has little to do with their standards-based lessons, but more to do with the care and concern they had for me during a very vulnerable period in my life. They opened my world in many ways (through travel, building trust, encouraging me to go to college) and made it possible for me to be the caring and compassionate parent and teacher I am today. They really changed my whole life.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/distancelearningeducators
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WestsidehsTeach
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/distancelearningeducators/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqZPSiNoh-_Kq0Nda5yZ9FQ
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
