Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Louis Roberts, M.Ed. of Southern Maryland

We recently had the chance to connect with Louis Roberts, M.Ed. and have shared our conversation below.

Louis, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
The one things that I am currently chasing is the highest levels of education possible. That highest level of education is my doctorate degree. I owe my grandparents. They were extremely hard-working people who did not have a chance to complete their educational journey. My grandmother only had a middle school education and did domestic work. My grandfather was completely illiterate and worked his entire life on the railroad of New Jersey. Even with limited education and resources, they were able to raise four children and all of them got college degrees. As that second generation of the family with access to education, I believe that I have been afforded more opportunities and I owe them to take it as far as I can. In the Fall of 2023, I was accepted into the doctoral program at The George Washington University in Washington, DC. I am currently pursuing the degree of Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration. I was fortunate enough to be given a partial academic scholarship for academic merit and have successfully maintained a 3.93 GPA.
If I stopped, I believe I would be disappointing not only myself and my ancestors, but I would also be delaying the blessings that will come as a result of completing the degree. That addition to my credentials will open doors and possibilities that will change my life completely.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Louis Roberts, M.Ed. I am a complex man and introducing myself is always fun. I am currently a high school special education teacher. This is my 18th year working as a teacher. I have taught here in Maryland as well DC. Also, I taught for several years overseas in South Korea. I am also a classically trained clarinet player with a degree in Classical Music Performance from the Great Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida. I am a person who has the mind to serve my community and that has driven me to join several organizations that do just that. I am a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, Gamma Beta Chi Fraternity, Inc. and a Freemason.
I am also the owner of Lou’s BluBooks. This is my book publishing company under which I have published my own children’s books. I was honored to receive several awards and honors for my children’s books including the 2023 Self-Ink it Award, 2024 International Impact Book Award, and the 2025 Golden Wizard Book Prize. This year, I was also nominated and selected as a finalist for the International Impact Book Awards Author of the Year, in the category
Fiction – Children’s Fiction: Inspirational & Values-Based Stories. I am so proud of the work I have done and all that I have been able to accomplish. I am currently working on another children’s book and my first novel. I am excited and hoping that they are received well.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memories of feeling powerful happened in elementary school. I learned very quickly that my mind and intellect were a bit different than my peers. I was placed in classes for gifted students and separated from my peers to participate in different programs and activities for students with a gift of high intelligence. After being given an IQ test and finding out that having an IQ of 155 was pretty high, I felt very proud and powerful. Each time I received an award or recognition for academic performance, I always felt this way and I continue to do so now.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
A time that I almost gave up was experiencing homelessness. While I was in college, I had an apartment and a roommate. My experience living with my roommate left much to be desired and I decided I no longer wanted to cohabitate and when the lease ended, we moved out. I packed my things and got into my car to drive to my mom’s home in Maryland from Florida, where my university was located. Within the first half hour of my trip, my car broke down on the interstate. After contacting my mom on the phone and letting her know what had happened, she was quite upset because she did not have the financial means to assist with my situation. So, I got my car back to town but had no where to go and no money. I was forced to sleep in various places inside my car with all my belongings in the Florida summer heat. Some times people took pity on me and would offer food, a shower, or a night’s rest on their couch or floor. It was a really long summer. I could not wait to be able to move into the dorm for the fall semester. While I had it bad that summer, I knew that it would end as soon as I could move back into the dormitory. I knew that there are so many people who suffer without an end in sight. It made me much more empathetic to those who are unhoused and made me aware of how quickly our lives can change for the worse with no fault of our own.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
A belief/project that I’m committed to, no matter how long it takes is aligned with my company’s motto. I want to create a culture of literacy in my community. As someone whose grand father was illiterate, teaches English, writes books, and is currently writing a dissertation about how we can best serve kids with reading-related learning disabilities, I understand how important reading is and the impact that the inability to read can have on someone’s life. Taking all of my drive and passion and pouring it into the work I do, feeds my personal mission of creating a culture of literacy. I want to use that to also one day open my own school, Keyes Academy. I am committed to making that happen no matter how long it takes.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
The story that I hope people tell about me when I am gone is that I cared immensely about the lives and wellbeing of children. I’ve dedicated my career to teaching children. I write books for children. I lived on the other side of the world for years to teach children. I am
working on my doctorate and writing a dissertation that explores how to best serve children with learning disabilities and one day I want to open a school that meets their needs. While I am sure that they will say many things about me after I’m gone, but all I do is to improve the education journey and outcomes for children.

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Image Credits
Ronnie Lee Photos

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