CLEVELAND — Working at Max Hayes High School as the Psych Director for after-school programming is one of many things Brittinie Jermon does to educate youth on their potential.
Brittinie Jermon, is the recipient of the Ohio Excellence in Education Award.
“I can bring all of my personality, all of me, all of the knowledge that I have and the ability to connect people together to really be able to help children get what it is that they need,” says Jermon.
Jermon was presented the award by Governor Mike DeWine during the 35th annual Ohio Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration Monday.
She works to connect students to community members and opportunities to expand their experiences. Similar to how Dr. Martin Luther King Junior encouraged people to live up to their potential and fight for different opportunities despite racial barriers.
“For me, he’s a hero and so the greatest way to honor him is to do what he said do,” says Jermon.
While accepting the Ohio Excellence in Education award from Governor DeWine, she said she has one message to share.
“Whatever your gift is, that is how you change the world. Do that well,” says Jermon.
Her students hear her message loud and clear.
“You were created for a reason, you’re alive for a reason, and as long as you’re breathing there’s something you’re supposed to be doing for the world. you’re the answer to a problem,” says Jermon.
In addition to her work at the school, she also volunteers to work with juvenile offenders, literacy programs, and more. She’s quite an impressive young woman who feels it’s her mission to help people see beyond themselves and work through systemic racism to become the person they were meant to be.
Another interesting point, Jermon calls all of the young people she interacts with “scholars” regardless of their grades. That’s done on purpose so they can start to believe in themselves and live up to the potential she sees in them.