United States veteran Jamal Frank has always wanted to be a teacher and make a positive impact on children’s lives, so in 2015 he realized he wanted to begin teaching as his profession.

“I’ve always worked for kids and taught them life skills and stuff like that, but as far as professionally, in 2015 I said to myself, ‘You know what, I want to try to become a teacher, something I love to do,’” Frank said. 

In Frank’s nine years of experience in teaching, he feels he most enjoys teaching the spunky students, who aren’t afraid to stand out.

“I love students who go against the grain,” Frank said. “Those are the kids I can shape into leaders. The best thing is when you can help that small human being become the best of themselves.”

Frank is currently working on a doctorate, so his free time is spent on writing his dissertation, in addition to making music, spending time with his teenage son and going to church. Not only does he help students during school, but he also volunteers with at-risk students. 

“When I was in high school, I was a bad kid,” Frank said. “I used to get in trouble a lot, so that’s what makes me want to help so many kids.”

When Frank was younger, he didn’t have a college degree, so he wanted to make something of himself and become a better man for his family. For that reason, on July 27, 2000, Frank enlisted in the United States Coast Guard and worked as an electronic technician. Though military life is imagined as tough, Mr. Frank’s personal experience tells otherwise. 

“I expected the military to be very strict and very regulated but once you got into boot camp, it was just a normal, everyday job,” Frank said. “[It was] a lot of fun but a lot of brotherhood.”                                        

Frank’s everyday life in the military was not much different from his current life, but the only difference was that they sometimes got deployed and were gone working in different states for months at a time. From the moment he was enlisted into the military, it changed his life. 

“My military experience was the best experience I’ve ever had,” Frank said. “It changed my life and it changed me as a person.” 

Not only did the military change Frank’s life, but from that moment forward, he’s made an impact on many children’s lives. Mr. Frank inspires children from all ages and encourages them to work to be better in every aspect of their lives. Frank does not only teach World History and African Studies, but he also teaches children how to be the best version of themselves.