I recently sat down at lunch to interview Billy Poole-Harris, a special education teacher and the head cross country coach at Whitney Young. Below, we discuss his role at the school, how his life has changed with his daughter's birth, and his greatest inspiration in life.
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about what you do around the school? What does a typical day look like for you?
A: I work in the diverse learners department, working with kids with special needs here at Whitney Young. On a typical day I’m helping transition kids in wheelchairs, or you know, kids that are cognitively delayed, from class to class. I’m in the PE building helping mix gen ed kids with our diverse learners so they can form a bond and learn from each other.
Q: You mentioned your work with special education. So, how has being a part of the diverse learning community changed your perspective on education as a whole?
A: I don’t think it really changed my perspective, but working with a specialized population really drives home the point that we live in a diverse society, and that we need to be able to work with everyone’s differences, good or bad. I think we do a good job at Whitney at recognizing the differences in our diverse population and accepting them. We’re all in it together, and we’re all trying to find a way to maximize each student’s potential.
Q: All things considered, what do you think is the most important thing you do at the school, or for the school, and why?
A: I wear multiple hats here. I coach, and I think that’s one of my true vocations and callings. I also aid in keeping spirits around the school a little bit happier than normal, with announcing basketball games and pep rallies. And again, I think one of my more important jobs is bridging the gap between our diverse learning community and the general population.
Q: Switching gears a little bit, we heard that you recently had a daughter! Congratulations. How has that added responsibility changed the way you live your life?
A: Having a kid is time consuming, and with the multiple jobs I have here, it can be difficult at times making sure we have things taken care of at home and while I’m here at work. But having a daughter is definitely one of the coolest, most humbling things I’ve ever experienced in my life. When she wakes up in the morning and goes to bed and you come home from a long day of work, you’re not doing it for yourself but for somebody else.
Q: So, safe to say that one day you could be an inspiration for her. And I know already on the cross country team, you’re an inspiration to a lot of the guys everyday. But I want to know, who has been your greatest inspiration in life?
A: That’s kinda hard to say, I’d like to say that a lot of the people I’ve come into contact with have had an effect on me in some way, whether small or profound. But if I had to give an answer, it would probably be my mother. She raised a family of five children by herself and for her to go through the struggles she went through to show us good values and good morals, I think it’s very important. When I coach and when I have contact with kids, I see some of her teachings permeate in what I say.
Q: If you could tell the Whitney Young community just one thing about yourself, what would it be?
A: That’s a good question...I’m an extremely hard worker, and I’m extremely positive, that would be a good way to answer that.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share? Any closing remarks?
A: I’m really happy to be a Dolphin. I remember when I was younger and my mom and I would take the blue line and we’d always pass this school, and I never really knew what it was, but I remembered the orange lettering. I guess something just drew me there. I look forward to being here and helping the community for years to come.
