Jimi Glenn

Student

“I’ve jumped out of airplanes and fired grenade launchers. So a kid from the streets isn’t going to intimidate me very much.”

“I want to teach high school English,” says Jimi Glenn with emphasis. “By the time a lot of African American kids get to junior high, studying is out the window. So I want to be that little ‘muscle-builder’, that little ‘mind-bender’ that steps in to catch those kids and brings them back to reality. I want to tell them: ‘Stay in school. Get your degree. I’m here to help you,’” he continues. “I can honestly understand why teachers get tired out,” he says with a laugh. “But I’m willing to face that challenge.” And when Jimi takes on a challenge—as he did for a year in the Army—he tends to succeed.

“I learned photo lithography, a very definitely useful skill,” says Jimi. “We flew in the planes, took pictures of the terrain, an ‘I Spy’ type of thing. We parachuted, made maps and developed pictures. And I did the whole process, by hand and in the woods.” Jimi credits the Army for teaching him to understand all types of people and for giving him a definite “can do” attitude. But pride in accomplishment is also a deeply imbued theme in his family.

“Both of my parents have their masters degrees,” says Jimi. “So that’s something I want for myself. And I feel that with teaching I’ll be able to make others see the value of an education and to feel good about themselves. And that in itself will be my reward.” Jimi, who plays guitar, clarinet, piano, drums, and trumpet would also like to conduct a high school band some day. “Music is the universal language,” he says. “It really does break down a lot of barriers.”

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