LOUISVILLE, Ky. — James Byers, 27, of Louisville, didn’t always know he wanted to be a physical education teacher at Louisville’s Maupin Elementary. But, if you ask him, he’ll tell you he loves what he does. He has a heart for his students. 

What You Need To Know

  • Maupin Elementary teacher finds his passion

  • James Byers says he enjoys being a role model

  • He switched careers when he realized he wanted to teach

“I just love bring able to interact with them. It just brings me joy to be able to be a part of their day. Somebody that they can look up to not only as a teacher, but someone they can have fun with.” Byers, explained to Spectrum News 1.

Rewind back to 2016, Byers wasn’t fulfilled in his old job and didn’t have a sense a purpose. Until his cousin, a school principal, suggested he observe one day. He remembers the day he stepped into the classroom.

“I started just interacting with these two particular students. It just brought me so much happiness and joy. This light bulb went off and was like ‘snap’. This was it. I just knew from that moment, this is what I was called to do.” Byers explained.

He has nurtured that calling ever since.

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and raised in Louisville, this is Byers second year teaching at Maupin. He teaches grades K-5 and pretty much every child at this school takes his class. That’s roughly 300 students. For him, as a Black male teacher, he wants to be a positive role model for his students. He says his father taught him what it means to be a good father and husband.

“Him passing on those traits to me, I’m able to pass them on to those kids who may never have seen a positive role model. A lot of our kids, living here in the city, a lot of their role models are athletes and stuff that they see on TV. But this is somebody that’s in real life, like up close and personal, that they can ask questions to.” Byers said.

The work of a teacher doesn’t always end when that last bell rings, and the students go home.

He reflects on the day, on the way home.

“For me, knowing I was able to change a kids’ day, or I was able to impart something on a student that they may not have already known,” Byers explained.

Byers explained there are things parents can do at home to keep the inspiration flowing.

“Teaching them to go to school and be the best student that you can be.” Byers said.

Back at school, Byers teaches his students sportsmanship and builds trust with them. He encourages them to treat people the right way. He hopes to inspire his students.

“That they know that they can go be whatever they want to be.” Byers explained. “They’re not closed in a box of what they can be. They can literally be whatever they want to be.”

Byers said he plans on being at the school for years to come.

Jefferson County Public Schools has dozens of open teacher positions. To learn more, or to apply, click here.