Why These Divine Nine Members Stepped Up to Teach in NJ

Being a part of a fraternity or sorority is a formative experience for many college students seeking community and support to navigate their careers and lives. The nine historically African-American Greek organizations of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (“NPHC”) – collectively referred to as the “Divine Nine” – have been fostering a mission of service, philanthropy, and academic excellence with men and women of color for nearly 90 years.

Here in New Jersey, Greek life in the Divine Nine is active and flourishing. We spoke with three Divine Nine members about how they’ve taken their experiences in Greek life and applied the lessons they learned to their careers as educators. Read on for the stories of these three “divine” leaders!

Amber Coleman, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority

Where did you complete your undergraduate studies and what was your major?

I completed my undergraduate studies at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. I majored in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Psychology.

Please tell us a little about your Greek experience.

I grew up in a small town and am a first generation college graduate, so I never knew about Greek life growing up. When I began college and people were walking around with Greek letters on their shirt I became curious, so I asked around and inquired about the shirts and why people were wearing them. After doing further research and going to the campus sorority informational sessions, I realized the only sorority I connected with was not represented on my campus (at the time). Through a longtime friend, I was able to make a connection with the graduate chapter and get the process started to bring the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority back to the Johnson & Wales University campus, with the help of several other important people.

While in the process of trying to become a member of Sigma Gamma Rho, I learned a lot of valuable information about the founders, their struggles and success stories about how they triumphed over the adversity that was stacked against them. They inspired me to be the best version of myself, while facing my own adversities and struggles. I became a member of my undergraduate chapter a month before I graduated. Over the years I have remained an active member and community service activist within my communities.

Did this experience guide you towards teaching?

Teaching was something I always thought I would do at the college level after retiring from an entrepreneurial career, but life happens. I was destined to the field of teaching after I met my husband and heard all of the great things his mother accomplished as an educator in the inner city school systems. Although my mother-in-law was never affiliated with any Greek letter organizations, her story and triumphs reminded me of the founders of Sigma Gamma Rho, thus igniting my path to teaching.

Why did you choose to be a teacher?

After being a substitute teacher for two years, I began to see the change that helping others was igniting in me. I realized that being a teacher really satisfies all the passions and career goals I have set for myself. As a teacher I have found myself counseling, tutoring, mentoring, and advising my students – and sometime the parents – in their life situations. Helping change the lives of others on a daily basis is a very rewarding feeling that I have never felt with any other employer.

Did you complete an Alternate Route program or a traditional education program for your teacher certification?

I am currently finishing the Alternate Route program through Rutgers University.

What and where do you currently teach?

I am certified to teach K-6 elementary education. In the Fall of this year I will also be certified to teach grades 6-8 Middle School Mathematics. Currently, I teach 6th grade math and science at Winslow School #6 in Sicklerville, NJ.

Corey Harris, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity

Where did you complete your undergraduate studies and what was your major?

I completed my undergraduate studies at the Rutgers main campus in New Brunswick, majoring in Interpersonal Communication and Africana Studies.

Please tell us a little about your Greek experience.

My first exposure to Greek Life was in high school. One of the fraternities had an auxiliary program for high school men called the Sigma Beta Club which was created by the fraternity I’m a part of now, Phi Beta Sigma. They mentored the cohort and showed us life skills, provided male mentors, taught us skills like how to tie a tie, what it meant to dress professionally, how to run meetings, and public speaking. The experience taught me all about brotherhood, scholarship, and service. By the time I got to college I had a good idea of what it meant to be a part of a brotherhood, and I had a clear vision of which fraternity I wanted to join because I wanted to give back what was given to me.

Did this experience guide you towards teaching?

I didn’t know that I would be an educator as I didn’t go to school for teaching, but from my experience I knew I wanted to mentor black and brown young males. There’s a lot of people to hold you accountable to this idea of excellence and philanthropy, and you’re surrounded by other professional men that are always in pursuit of something. I wanted to do for young men what the fraternity did for me.

Why did you choose to be a teacher?

I stumbled upon this career by working in social services first. I’ve always felt like kids deserve a fair start, a healthy start, and an equal start to potentially give them a promising future. I figured what better way to combat poverty and advocate for equity than to give kids what I felt I didn’t get in an urban environment.

Did you complete an Alternate Route program or a traditional education program for your teacher certification?

I followed a non-traditional pathway to teaching and have since transitioned into roles that haven’t required  certification.

What and where do you currently teach?

I’ve been an educator for five years and am currently the Grade Level Chair at Life Academy at Bragaw. In my current role I manage a cohort of teachers in Physical Education, Performing Arts, Music, and I teach a Social Justice program that I piloted.

Taneisha Clemons, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority

Where did you complete your undergraduate studies and what was your major?

I attended Montclair State University and majored in Business Management because my dream at the time was to open my own daycare since I went to a technical high school for business technologies and I kind of stuck to what I knew.

Please tell us a little about your Greek experience.

I was inducted into Greek life my freshman year at Montclair in Spring 2007. Being the youngest member in my chapter at the time, I learned a lot of things from my big sisters that I was able to use to run my chapter as President in the Fall of 2009. I graduated in 2010 and after three years I joined the local graduate chapter of Gamma Omicron Zeta in 2013 where I currently am an active financial member.

Did this experience guide you towards teaching?

Although being in Greek life has allowed me to work with children doing different social action activities, teaching has been in my heart before Greek life. However, I have used Greek life in my classroom to inform students about the different organizations they could join when they go to college. Some of my sorority sisters also come into my classroom to volunteer with projects and read to my students.

Why did you choose to be a teacher?

I chose to be a teacher because of the passion I have for helping urban children know that they can be anything they desire. I enjoy being a role model and a change agent for the children in the neighborhood I resided in as a child. Teaching brings me joy, and I love seeing my students run to school every day and greet me with unconditional love.

Did you complete an Alternate Route program or a traditional education program for your teacher certification?

I earned my certification by obtaining my Master’s Degree in Teaching through a traditional program in 2015. In 2017 I went back to school and completed a one year fast track program for an additional certification for teaching students with disabilities. Now I am pursuing a Doctorate of Education degree specializing in Special Education.

What and where do you currently teach?

For the last four years I have been a certified teacher for the charter school network (KIPPNJ) in the South Ward of Newark, NJ. I have taught kindergarten for three years and currently hold the role of a First-Grade Learning Specialist where I work closely with students with Individual Education Plans to ensure that they are receiving the services they are legally guaranteed.
 

Greek life in the Divine Nine has shaped the lives of millions of men and women of color over the course of its history. Carrying the message of brotherhood/sisterhood, excellence, and service, Greek organizations have inspired these individuals to succeed in all aspects of their lives, with many lessons that can be carried over into the classroom. If you’d like to join these leaders in an educational career, check out our April list of teaching jobs and follow @RutgersAltRoute on Twitter for the latest in teaching tips and news.