“You can’t be what you can’t see.”

Markayle Tolliver

LINK Unlimited Scholars Instructor, Mentor

“My teaching, my impact, my work is really sticking with the students…”

Shoutout to returning to your roots and pouring into the community that made you, AND to the nontraditional educators! This week, we’re connecting with Mr. Markayle Tolliver, who shares how his K-12 experience in Chicago, growing up in North Lawndale and attending different schools, fueled his passion for education. After graduating with a broadcast journalism background during the Covid-19 pandemic, Markayle explored starting his career in the classroom.

“Finding those small connections help the relationship go a long way...”

Markayle speaks on the power of being from the same neighborhood as his students, and the longstanding impacts of slavery, lack of knowledge and not having identity affirming people on the front lines. Serving as an educator has increased his interest in counseling, as he wants to examine the role that trauma and violence play on the mental health of students and teachers. He also shares advice, highlights the role of mentoring and encourages educators to advocate for themselves.