A new chapter
SFC Kenneth Washington traveled all around the world during his time in the United States Army. Now retired from the military, he’s an instructor for Cedar Shoals’ JROTC program.
Washington has been teaching JROTC since January, when Cedar was still online, making this school year his first teaching in person. He teaches first year cadets and says he enjoys every moment of it.
“I’m able to teach things that I truly enjoy in life and that I’ve done for 20 years, but I’m also able to teach individuals skills,” Washington said.
Lessons and skills that Washington strives to instill in his students include time management, communication, and how to control anger instead of resorting to violence.
“We teach kids how to be better citizens and how to be better individuals in the community that are role models,” Washington said.
Washington was in the United States Army for 20 years, which gave him the opportunity to travel the world and get a free college education. His last duty station was in Okinawa, Japan.
“It gave me the opportunity to meet people I never thought I would meet in life, and to build those relationships, which I think is very important. It was probably the best experience I could have ever done for me and my family,” Washington said.
Washington has set a goal for himself in teaching is for a 95% pass rate for his students. He believes that if students see this success in JROTC then it will transition into other classes.
“It’s important because it shows that the kids are buying into what I’m selling, but it also gives me an opportunity to let kids understand what success is,” Washington said.
JROTC instructor MAJ Carlie Williams, who has been teaching at Cedar for five years, has offered advice to Washington while working alongside him.
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s okay if you mess up. Learn from your mistakes. Continue to grow and get better each time you work with these students,” Williams said.
Washington has also been able to learn a few valuable lessons himself. For example, he has learned to be more flexible and understand that things might not go as planned.
“We have to be flexible to make sure the kids are successful. And I’m okay with that,” Washington said.
Another lesson that Washington has learned is how to communicate with students and gain their trust.
“I’ve learned that if you treat people with respect, if you talk to kids and sometimes that communication is not talking, it’s just listening, that they trust you. If I could get their trust and get them to be successful, then they know that I’m on their side,” Washington said.
