Mr. Codrington

HS HEALTHFUL LIVING AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER

What brought you to WYWLA?

I come from a family of police officers and teachers. After retiring from the police department, I saw an opportunity and took the chance. My grandfather was my Assistant Principal at an elementary school.

What is your impression of WYWLA thus far?  

I love how the students encourage each other. There is a camaraderie that you see with everyone.

What is one piece of advice you try to inculcate in students? 

Be able to adapt; nothing ever goes how you originally plan. The path that will always remain open is making slight deviations to your plan so we can get things done in our lives. 

Where did you grow up?  What were you like as a kid? A young student? Favorite subject growing up?  

I grew up in Jamaica Queens where I learned how to cook at a young age and grew independent. Jamaica Queens is also where I attended an all boys Catholic high school. 

What is one fun fact about you?  

I love singing in the car -nonstop. I like listening to Usher, Eric Roberson. I also enjoy watching a program that my daughter likes, but I can't admit that to her, it's called Secrets of Sulphur Springs. I can't understand why someone likes to eat cauliflower!

Where did you graduate from college?  Major?

I graduated from North Carolina Central University where I had my major in political science; it was great, the class sizes were small and the professors knew students by first name. Though, my favorite classes were taught by Dr. Elliot. The school felt more like a family. I had a friend who couldn't return home, so the school took him in. 

Are you a cold weather person or a warm weather one? What is your dream vacation?

I am a complete summer person, born in the summer and will remain a summer person. One day, I would like to go to Barbados where my family is from.

Favorite author?  Book?  Genre?

I like John Grisham.  But I also read the newspaper so I can know what is going on around me. My father always left newspaper articles and I would talk to my him about them.

You were a police officer for 25 years.   What lessons or skills as an officer transfer to being a teacher?

I was a police officer for 28 years. June 1993 to June 2021. A lesson I would give to my students is communication.  I learned that you never know what people are going through until you talk to them about it. As a police officer, you meet a lot of people who are going through many different things. That transfers to teaching because you never know if a student is struggling or going through something at their home, whether it's homework, them falling behind or they have to care for their younger siblings. You must ALWAYS communicate.