We were lucky to catch up with Mitchell Green recently and have shared our conversation below.
Mitchell, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
After working several different jobs in food service, construction and sales I found myself lying on my back in a Seattle hospital after back surgery at age 28, I knew I didn’t want to return to my sales job. I decided to look into teaching. Within moments of volunteering in a fourth-grade classroom, seeing and hearing the children, feeling their energy, I knew belonged. The peace and joy I felt inside- even after a day of observing mundane lessons; managing misbehavior, tears, laughter, and snitching; helping children with assignments- was powerful and reassuring; each moment made me eager for next. I kept that enthusiasm and eagerness for the next twenty four years.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am passionate about quality public education for every child. I took seven years writing my book after retiring from teaching because of the piecemeal approach to improving public education. In my book Education for All: Tales From the Classroom and the Pursuit of Equitable Reform, I identify the seven major influences on student learning, some overlooked and under appreciated, for a holistic perspective on it will take to enact meaningful, equitable school improvement. Most people think they know what happens in public school classrooms, yet they can’t always see the myriad of elements behind what goes on in those classrooms. For example, who chooses the curriculum and why? What makes teachers effective? What influence does a school culture have on student achievement? School reform tends to deal with only one factor of student achievement without look at the big picture. Drawing from twenty-four years teaching and providing instructional support in public schools, I provide a holistic view on what happens in schools. I ask tough questions and hope to spark meaningful conversations about providing high-quality, equitable education for all children.
I currently volunteer in a local school as well as give book talks whenever possible.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
First of all, being willing to do what I wanted instead what made more money. Following my gut.
Second, dealing extreme nervousness, fear of failure, fear of disappointing my Father and Mother, to do what I enjoyed- working with children.
Third, being open, honest and look people in the eye, along with an ability to talk with and respect anyone one regardless of background.
Advice- not sure I’m qualified to give advice. Though taking time to reflect what I valued, (people, education, social justice) and being open to a chosen challenge worked for me.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
They encouraged me and my sister to try new things and to think. We had lots of books from a wide variety of authors that opened up so many ideas in my mind. I was given opportunities to travel and see different places and ways of life. They supported me even when I took time away from college 3 different times and worked many different jobs, mainly in construction.. Thinking about community and doing what I wanted for a living were both important to my parents. Mainly they wanted me to be happy in whatever I chose to do for a living.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mitchellreesegreen.com
- Linkedin: Mitchell Green
Image Credits
Mitchell Green
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