The John Lewis Good Trouble Questionnaire
Darrien Wheeler, Queen Anne’s County Early Career Educator
Darrien Wheeler is an early-career educator in Queen Anne’s County. He comes from a long line of educators and proudly continues in their footsteps.
What do you love the most about public schools? I love the community that blossoms in public schools. In my school, students’ parents are my former colleagues and coaches, employees at businesses I frequent, even my dog groomer. It’s wonderful to teach kids and also interact with their families on a daily basis.
What is your favorite union chant? It is one of the more popular ones: “One job should be enough!”
What issues agitate you most about public schools? Absolutely the funding, and the lack of support and services.
When did you first realize you had power and that your voice truly matters? When I started teaching I realized how powerful my voice and my ideas could be.
When you work so hard for your cause, self care is important. How do you take care of yourself? I don’t think you can put forth your entire effort into something unless you are already taking care of yourself, so ever since college I prioritize doing things that I enjoy whenever I get the time.
What is your favorite activist t-shirt? My favorite t-shirt says “democracy over dictatorship, people over profits, justice not corruption, resist, persist, rise.”
What do you wish more members knew about getting involved in their local or MSEA? That the entire premise of the union is to better support you so you are able to focus more on teaching children.
What was the silliest action you ever participated in? I haven’t actually had the opportunity to incorporate silliness into my activism but I would love to begin soon!
What song gives you strength to fight for education justice? “My Testimony” by Marvin Sapp.
Who listens to you rant about the issues you care about the most? My fiancée or my mom. They have had the “privilege” of being involved in some of my longest rants about challenging the status quo and wanting to change everything for the betterment of society.
What keeps you doing this work when it’s hard? The children, they are our future and if I can better just one child’s future then I have done some good in this world.
What’s your favorite way to make good trouble? Direct chaos. I will leave it at that.
(Sun-Times Library)
Who is your activist hero? Why? Between Fred Hampton or Malcolm X because they knew what they believed in and were willing to lose their lives to achieve their goals. That selflessness will always be something I strive for. Pictured: Fred Hampton and R. Chaka Walls in November 1969. (Sun-Times Library)
What current campaign or issue is at the top of your radar? I have far too many but the top includes prison reform, combatting the wealth gap, and basic necessities for everyone—children and adults.
What one thing do you wish elected leaders and the public understood about your job? One: That there would be no other professions if you had not been taught by a teacher at some point in your life. And two: Loving this profession of preparing children for their future and understanding my worth are not mutually exclusive.