From Student to Trusted Adult – In Just Four Years 

By Brennan LaBrie

Maleak Whitaker graduated from West Charlotte High School in 2020 with a dream of becoming a high school biology teacher. Just four years later, he realized that dream – in the same district that formed him.

After earning degrees in biology and secondary education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2024, Whitaker returned to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools as a biology and earth sciences teacher at West Mecklenburg High School, just down the road from his alma mater.  

Whitaker is one of five recent college grads who just completed their first year at West Meck through the Teach for America (TFA) Program.  

While Whitaker may be new to teaching, he has about as much experience under his belt as you can at age 22. He interned for two summers at Freedom School Partners, a summer literacy program in Charlotte, led his campus’ Student North Carolina Association of Educators chapter, and completed a student teaching stint through TFA at another Charlotte high school prior to joining the West Meck team. 

Whitaker’s teaching journey began much earlier than college. As a child, his favorite toy set included notebooks, folders, markers and a desk. His favorite activity was acting out a classroom with his cousins serving as his students.

His dream of teaching was fortified by his favorite teachers from kindergarten to high school, who showed him the deep impact that trusted adults can have on students like him.  

Whitaker recalls the classroom environment nurtured by his middle school science teacher: “It was more than just being a number, or just going into the classroom and sitting down – it was more so like a classroom family where we were able to be engaged and we were able to have those one-on-one conversations about how we could grow,” he said. 

When EOS’ student survey results were released, Whitaker was thrilled to see several students named him as their trusted adult – meaning they felt safe going to him for support and guidance. While he was “pretty tight” with a few of them, he was surprised to discover he was impacting other students more than he had thought.  

Whitaker said that he strives to be a trusted adult for all his students, as well as those he doesn’t teach. 

“Being a trusted adult goes beyond the classroom,” he said, adding that he tries to brighten the day of every student he sees in West Meck’s hallways – and offer support if they need it. 

Whitaker sees his role as trusted adult as not just supporting his students, but also pushing them to reach their full potential academically and personally. His practice is informed by training on anti-racist teaching and identifying achievement gaps he received through TFA, which he employs to support student groups that are predominantly Black, Hispanic and low-income.

“Going in the classroom, it’s about knowing – this is how they came in, this is where they are currently, but how can I push them to be greater? How can I aid their personal and professional growth?” He said. 

Whitaker fields plenty of questions about his age from students. He enjoys these interactions, especially when the inquiry comes from black male students who may not have seen many teachers like him in their schools. He takes pride in the representation he provides for these students – something he said deeply impacted him as a kid – and he hopes to inspire future scientists and science educators from Charlotte.  

“Coming in, I always wanted to make an impact in my community,” he said. “Being a black male educator, I knew I wanted to hone back into and aid the community that I came from.” 

Whitaker leans on trusted adults of his own, including his TFA coach Elizabeth Brock, Science Facilitator Christine Ward, and beginning teacher mentor Amber Cruz. The science department’s culture of resource and knowledge sharing has been key to his success so far, he said, especially with earth sciences sitting outside of his area of expertise.

He also keeps in contact with his trusted adults from high school, like Kevin Poirier, his former technology facilitator at West Charlotte who now serves as Assistant Principal. He used to seek out Poirier for advice on tech and classes, and now comes to him for career advice and mentorship. It was Poirier who pointed Whitaker to TFA program.  

Pourier showed Whitaker that trusted adults in schools don’t just have to be teachers.  

“The custodian could be a trusted adult; it doesn’t have to be someone who’s directly in front of you and teaching you on the daily,” Whitaker said. 

Whitaker also stays in touch with his former Assistant Principal at West Charlotte, Kristin Ward, who now leads EOS’ partnership team.  

“Maleak carried himself with quiet confidence and had an amazing spirit,” Ward recalls. “He had this calm leadership presence that showed up early, and it matured in such amazing ways.

“To see him back in CMS, this time as a teacher and Trusted Adult, is powerful. He’s walked the same hallways as his students, and now he’s pouring into them with the same heart and purpose he carried as a student. It’s personal for him and it shows.” 

Brennan LaBrie helps amplify the work, mission, and impact of the EOS team and our partners across the education landscape. With a background in local journalism, he seeks to share the stories of individuals and organizations driving impact in their community and beyond.