For English teacher Mr. Washington, the road to Flex High School in Pontiac was anything but traditional. With nearly two decades of teaching abroad and a passion for connecting with students, Mr. Washington brings a global perspective and a feel for education that connects with every student walking into his classroom.
Born and raised in the Detroit area, Mr. Washington describes himself as a “normal, underachieving high school kid.” After attending Michigan State University and studying linguistics, he took a leap of faith that would shape his future, moving to Taiwan to teach English. What started as a chance opportunity turned into a 19-year teaching career overseas, where he worked with students from ages two to ninety and developed a love for guiding others through language.
“I had to teach to understand that I liked to teach,” he said. “I had no experience before going overseas, and it was kind of like a two-year internship figuring out how to do it. But I found that I really loved it.”
One of Mr. Washington’s proudest moments came when a former student, who he had taught overseas since she was three, returned to work alongside him as a colleague. “She went through the whole system, went to college, and came back to teach with us. She used to tell people, ‘That guy was my teacher.’ That’s something special.”
His return to Michigan wasn’t about comfort, it was about continuing to make an impact. After earning a secondary teaching certification from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Mr. Washington worked in adult education and GED programs. But it was at Flex High School where he found the meaningful one-on-one connections that reminded him of his time overseas.
“There are always kids slipping through the cracks,” he said. “At Flex, I get to stop that. I can pull a student aside, give them the time they need and make sure they understand. That’s what they need, someone to take the time to explain things in a way that clicks.”
Whether he’s relating poetry to rap for a student who’s passionate about music or calming the nerves of someone anxious about testing, Mr. Washington’s approach is grounded in empathy, creativity and respect for personalized learning styles.
“I always tell my students when I see that you don’t need me anymore, when that light goes on and you’ve got it, that’s when I get paid. That’s what keeps me going.”
A self-proclaimed history buff and former Wing Chun martial artist, Mr. Washington continues to explore the world around him and share that curiosity with his students. “There’s more out there than you realize,” he says. “Once you earn your diploma, you unlock access to that bigger world.”
At Flex High Pontiac, Mr. Washington is doing more than teaching English, he’s helping students discover their potential one personalized lesson at a time.