By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Faculty and staff at Union City Schools officially began the second semester of the 2020-21 school year Monday with some laughs and a candid discussion on how they could make their already-good product even better.
Nationally-renowned comedian/actor DJ Pryor was the guest speaker during a part of professional development activities for nearly 200 UCSS teachers and support personnel and was both entertaining and enlightening to many issues facing today’s educators.
More than either of those two, he was impressed with those who’ve committed their professional lives to education.
“I believe being a teacher is a calling and I believe that every teacher in this room is ordained by God,” said Pryor, who has performed in a variety of venues from comedy clubs to churches and colleges. “I’m really impressed with Union City … it’s a city that cares so much.
“I’m most impressed that you are interested in what can be done better. If every city had this attitude and interest, how much better could we be (as a whole)?”
Pryor grew up in and is a current resident of Clarksville. He shared extensively about his own childhood and of conquering those who doubted his talent and motivation while also recalling a handful of racism instances. He spoke of different types of discipline and ways to encourage students and candidly pointed out the many cultural differences in today’s society.
“We have to talk to and encourage kids to share with us what matters to them,” he said. “When you know better, you do better. You can’t let them (students) live excuses, and they really do want you to show them how to do better.
“Change is something you can demand. It doesn’t mean something will change as soon as you demand it, and however you motivate has to come from inspiration.”
Pryor, a father of three and the eldest of 12 children himself, gained worldwide fame when a home video of him and his 19-month-old son babbling went rival. Author Jenny Anderson and Al Race of the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University remarked that Pryor’s interaction with his son demonstrated a social-feedback loop called “serve-and-return,” which contributes to child development.
He has also participated in the CBS Diversity Sketch Comedy Showcase — one of just 21 actors/comedians from over 3,000 to be selected — and has acted in a handful of short films. Pryor additionally has been a guest on Dateline NBC: A Toast to 2019 and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin Eve 2020 to commemorate the highlights of 2019.
“When young people are inspired, they are dangerous in a good kind of way,” insisted Pryor, whose own personal story included a kindergarten teacher who “had a gift to see what was with me. It takes a whole lot of prayer, but I believe somebody in this room has a DJ Pryor in their class.
“And I’m really moved by everybody and the things I heard here today. You have a lot of good things in place and a lot of people want to see a better Union City.”