Graduate student relishes role as special education teacher in Reading School District

Graduate student relishes role as special education teacher in Reading School District

Derrick Golden is a busy man.

A graduate student at Alvernia University and a member of the men’s basketball team, he’s also employed full time with Reading School District (RSD) as an emergency-certified fifth-grade special education math teacher. Emergency-certified means Golden is able to teach students in his degree field under a temporary certification until he completes his degree program.

It’s a role he relishes and credits to the help of his Alvernia advisor, department head Shawn Rutt, Ed.D., who connected Golden with RSD officials.

“He told me, ‘You’re a representation of what a teacher and leader should be,’” Golden said.

How did Golden get on the path to becoming an educator himself? A few things got the wheels spinning.

“It’s important to me because growing up, I was a part of it," Golden said of his interest in working in special education. "I have dyslexia. It was always a struggle to get help because I was a C/B student and my diagnosis was kind of hidden. Now, it’s easier for kids to get the help they need and I want to be a part of that journey. I want to use my story and show them that they can be anything they want to be. I’m a 23-year-old who’s getting their master’s (a second degree), and I had the opportunity to play college basketball and also complete other things that most people my age wouldn’t think about. I want to show them that if you work hard and stay dedicated, you’re able to accomplish anything, no matter what your [perceived] flaws are.”

He was also inspired by his nephew, who was in first grade and struggling through virtual learning in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many students sat by their computers and attended classes solo.

“He needed a lot of help at home, so I’d do my schooling and then I would go downstairs and join his class and make sure that he was following along," he remembered. "If he was missing anything, I would teach him the best I could how to do it. It helped me grow patience and a love for educating youth.”

Now he’s one step closer to even bigger dreams and goals. One day, he envisions a role as a school principal. Though it was basketball that first drew him to Alvernia, the welcoming, helpful nature of those on campus grew on him, too.

“I didn’t feel like a number or anything like that,” Golden said. “I felt like I had assistance helping me through anything.”

He’s since fallen in love with Reading and Berks County, too, and sees staying in the area in his future.

“Once I came here it’s just like my life changed for the better," he said. "And I’m such a loyal person. Once I’m in something, I want to give it my all before I leave. I want to make my mark … leave my imprint. I feel like I’m slowly, but surely, doing that while I’m here.”