Jason Wheatley began his teaching journey in middle school and officially started teaching at 17 through the Teacher Academy of Maryland. Wheatley is currently the director of Global Youth Mission (GYM), a youth-led community service organization that has grown from serving 10-15 families to over 500. He has led initiatives like mission trips to Mexico and collaborated with diverse communities nationwide.

"I started teaching when I was 17 years old through the Teacher Academy of Maryland. It was an incredible program that allowed me to get certified to teach while I was still in high school. Every morning, I would head to a local middle school and teach with the guidance of an adult, then go back to high school to take AP classes and participate in clubs. After college, I began teaching at a Title One school in Baltimore City, where most of the kids came from low-income families. Teaching there was about more than just academics; it involved making sure the kids were fed, safe, and supported in every way possible. I coached basketball to keep them engaged after school and volunteered to get them off the streets before and after school.

Eventually, I took on the role of director at Global Youth Mission (GYM). When I started, it was a small group with just 10-15 families, but through our work in the community and mission trips to Mexico, we’ve grown into a much larger organization with over 500 families involved.

I’ve always believed that social behavior education is crucial, especially for kids from low-income backgrounds. Life isn’t fair—some kids are born into safe, affluent communities, while others are not. But I believe that if you’re passionate about education and helping children, you have to do everything you can to level the playing field. I’ve seen firsthand that when kids are given opportunities, they succeed. The problem is that many don’t have access to the resources they need—good coaching, quality education, the best equipment. I felt it was my duty to help provide those opportunities because when you give people a chance, they usually rise to the occasion.

I’ve seen incredible potential in the kids I’ve worked with, even in tough socioeconomic environments. I remember one student, Jayla, who was amazing at English and eventually became a rapper. Another student, Aaron Sutton, was a great leader on our basketball team and went on to attend Howard University. Tragically, he was killed in a drive-by shooting during his freshman year. It’s situations like that which make me so angry about the lack of safety in low-income areas. It discourages people from investing in these communities and perpetuates a cycle of inequality.

As a teacher, I believe we have to be the example for our students. It’s not easy—especially when you’re working with kids who don’t feel safe or comfortable in school—but it’s essential. I always focused on setting an example, staying calm, and showing the kids that I was there to help them, no matter what. Building trust and breaking down walls is the first step in really connecting with the students. Parenting is more complex and nuanced, so I don’t have much to say there, but for teachers and volunteers in these areas, it’s vital to be strong-minded and hold on to your values and principles.

Establishing self-autonomy in young children is something I’m really passionate about. Kids are heavily influenced by their surroundings, which can be positive or negative depending on where they live. Unfortunately, self-autonomy isn’t something that’s often taught to young people—they’re usually told to just listen to their parents and follow instructions. But I think it’s important for kids to learn to question things, to have a broader perspective than just what’s in front of them. When they develop self-autonomy, they’re better equipped to understand and navigate the world around them, rather than just going along with what others say."