DaZay Green (National Louis University)
DaZay Green (he/him)
As the third-largest urban center with
the third-largest public school system in America, Chicago inspires
many students to pursue a career as an educator. DaZay Green, a
rising junior studying Elementary Education at National Louis
University, chose this path to make a positive impact in the city he
calls home.
For DaZay, being a student in Chicago
means having access to robust support networks and caring communities
that empower you to succeed, as they did for him. “Being a Chicago
student means having that support system,” he reflected. “Chicago
is a place for students who want to strive to improve and make a
difference in the community. Trust me, thousands of people here are
cheering you on, from your family to your neighborhood and your
Chicago schools. It’s fantastic to have that support system of people
giving you opinions and different resources and information to use
when feeling lost, or even when you have it all together.”
It all adds up to a strong sense of
security for students.” Being a Chicago student means you will have
support, love, and cheering in your corner. You will never feel like
you’re alone or by yourself because there’s always someone there to
help you when needed,” Green added.
For students looking to make a
difference Chicago offers an abundance of opportunity. After
graduation, Green plans to give back by becoming an educator. “After
graduating from National-Louis University, I plan to enter the
education field to help those students who need the extra support,
and who may feel lost or don’t know where to start their future
careers. I plan to change the education system one child at a time,”
he said.
Green acknowledges that this career
path will come with its own challenges, and that teaching is
difficult work, but welcomes the challenges as an opportunity to
leave a positive impact that will affect future generations. “It
will take some work and be very challenging, but as a black man in
Chicago who grew up in the education system, sometimes you have to
take a stand to help our future children. What would you do if the
city that you grew up in all your life and the education system never
changed? Would you take the easy way out and leave, or will you stay
and try to make a difference and an impact? I chose to stay because
I knew I would be in the best hands.”
He credits the particularly strong
educational curriculum at National Louis with preparing him for this
role. “National-Louis University was founded on education, and I
knew from their presentation that this school was where I needed to
be. National-Louis has an outstanding education program and a team to
support you as soon as you walk in those doors.” In particular,
Green believes having more male teachers like him in the school
system is crucial. “Education tends to lack male teachers.
Hopefully, when I become a teacher, I hope to inspire other children,
especially males, to become a teacher.”
Ultimately, Green believes attending
school in Chicago allows you to become the best version of yourself.
“I want people to know that Chicago schools are unique. They can
help students with support resources and the different information
needed for each student. Chicago schools believe in helping students
thrive to be their best and lean on people when needed. It’s where
you can find who you are and be your best self.”