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Meet Lloyd Hopkins of Million Dollar Teacher Project

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Lloyd Hopkins.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Lloyd. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
I have worked in the community and around education for 18 years, in varied capacities. I have worked with youth offenders, in dropout prevention, after-school recreation and spent time in the classroom as a teaching assistant. Of my journey, my time in the classroom was the most impactful. I have always been passionate about youth and education reforming.

Working as a teacher’s aide, I was able to witness the tough work they do (often without the proper resources) everyday. That time taught me that I was not cut out to do what they do and should find another way to impact kids and the education system. That time also grew my respect and admiration for the profession and helped me to truly realize the importance of teachers in society.

I was troubled by how underappreciated, undervalued and underpaid they are. If we truly want strong schools, we must have a strong teaching profession. Instead of complaining about it, I decided to be involved in the work of fixing it.

After I graduated from Arizona State University with my degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management, I decided I wanted to do something I was passionate about. I wanted to do my part to create the change I want to see in the world and October 2016 Million Dollar Teacher Project was born.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It certainly has not been a smooth road. My journey to launching Million Dollar Teacher Project has been a roller coaster that I have managed to ride on sheer faith. When I chose to leave my job and invest in myself and this idea, it was the scariest decision I have ever made in my life.

My entire family had to make a sacrifice so I could pursue my dreams. I started this organization with no outside revenue with my wife, and I having to be the primary source of funding to get us off the ground. That was nerve-racking and stressful but, we both believed in the vision.

Two years later, we are still going strong and are close to MDTP being able to fully sustain itself and hire full-time staff. It is still far from a smooth ride but, we have continuously had positive continued growth and momentum. The future prospects of our impact on education in the valley look very bright!

Please tell us about the Million Dollar Teacher Project.
We support students by supporting teachers. If we truly want strong schools, we must have a strong teaching profession.

To create that environment we, as a community, must address the challenges schools are facing with recruiting and retaining quality teachers in the classroom. The mission of Million Dollar Teacher Project is to elevate the teaching profession through increased support, compensation and recognition.

Our model focuses on creating community-centered, cost-effective strategies that improve how teachers are supported, recognized and (eventually) compensated. Our vision is a day where every student in the state of Arizona receives exceptional instruction every day.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
There isn’t anything that I would have done differently. I believe the challenges we face only exist to test your commitment to your idea/vision, so it is necessary for you to power through and stay the course.

Every step I have taken has been a building block that has me here today doing something I believe in with all of my heart.

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