“I’m a teacher, I have two masters, I have my doctorate. My father would always call me ‘stupid stupid…’ The only good piece of advice he ever gave me was ‘you don’t have much of a brain so you might as well learn how to use your hands’… I always felt that, even though I have all these diplomas on the wall, I’m just faking it. And, some day, someone’s going to pull back the curtain.” - Dr. Tim Daponte

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Dr. Tim Daponte. Dr. Daponte, or Tim, has been a teacher in the state of Texas for over 38 years. One remarkable thing about Tim, in addition to his years of service, is his ability to adapt to the changing characteristics of youth for over three decades - and to remain an outstanding teacher this entire time. After listening to Tim take off his mask with Ashanti, you’ll see why he is able to do what he does.

(6:25) Tim introduces himself and his history as a teacher. Then, he and Ashanti look back on their experience in the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program.

(12:55) This conversation was recorded on May 26, 2022, days after the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas. Tim and Ashanti take a moment and provide space for the grief our country is going through.

(15:15) Tim shares the front of his mask - happy, teacher, educated. Then, he shares the back of his mask - insecure, family issues, trauma.

(17:05) Ashanti shares the front of his mask - energetic, serious, caring. Then, he shares the back of his mask - sad, worry, family drama.

(20:35) Tim shares some thoughts on why “insecure” is on the back of his mask, and how this insecurity traces back to his childhood and past relationships.

(27:15) Self-validation and seeking the validation of others can get tangled and complicated. Ashanti and Tim sort these feelings out and the encounters teachers have when meeting with people with traditional “elite” backgrounds.

(34:30) Tim describes his bed of nails activity, and then he shares how, as a teacher, he is constantly innovating and adapting to the next group of young people.

(44:30) Tim shares how he approaches his students in class and makes them feel safe and take off their masks. Then, he thanks Robert Saleh, the teacher who inspired him the most.

(49:15) Tim shares his final thoughts, and he and Ashanti close out.

(52:30) Tim shares how you can get in touch with him.

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Connect with Dr. Tim Daponte:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-tim-daponte-2b7521b4

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Create your own mask anonymously at millionmask.org

If you are interested in being on the Face to Face podcast, email us at [email protected]

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Connect with Ashanti Branch:

Instagram: instagram.com/branchspeaks

Facebook: facebook.com/BranchSpeaks

Twitter: twitter.com/BranchSpeaks

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch

Website: branchspeaks.com

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Send in a voice message:

anchor.fm/branch-speaks/message