Photo:
Kyla Crawford and Gerald Donaldson. Photo: Will Austin
Kyla Crawford
For Kyla Crawford, education isn’t just about teaching — it’s about advocacy, equity and making sure every student feels seen.
A STEAM teacher in the Tukwila School District, Crawford has worn many hats, from librarian to classroom teacher to Race and Equity Committee colead. Her work extends beyond the classroom, consulting on educational policies and legislative initiatives that support historically marginalized students.
“Students are my main motivation; mostly their contagious joy and the hilarious things they do,” Crawford says. But her drive also comes from a deeper place: her lived experience as a mother of three navigating the public school system. “I am highly driven by advocating for more supportive and holistic systems for all of our students.”
Crawford believes in the power of using her voice — and encouraging others to do the same. “Sometimes all it takes is one voice in a room to keep asking the hard questions,” she says. Parents can support her efforts by staying engaged: attending school board meetings, asking questions, and advocating for Black, brown and multilingual students.
Gerald Donaldson
For more than 30 years, Gerald Donaldson — known to his students as “Mr. D.” — has been a lifeline for Seattle students and families. Although he technically retired a couple of years ago, he remains deeply involved in community care, volunteering to distribute food, mentoring African American boys through programs such as Rising Son Extended and Kingmakers of Seattle Extended, and even dressing up as Santa to deliver toys to hundreds of kids at Leschi Elementary School each year.
At the heart of his work is a simple but powerful philosophy: Listen. “Do you want me to listen, or do you want my input?” he asks students who come to him in distress. “It’s just being an ear and making sure their needs are met.”
Donaldson sees firsthand how the need is growing; food banks are stretched thin, and more families than he’s ever seen over his long career are needing assistance with getting basic needs met.
Despite the challenges, his students keep him motivated. “People say children are our future. They are our present,” he says. And for Mr. D., seeing a former student thrive — whether as a new father or a first-time graduate — is the greatest reward.
He says if others want to support kids, sign up to be a volunteer at schools. Tutor, read with students, help with math or even supervise on the playground. He says there just aren’t enough educators to go around, and if you want your community to thrive, getting involved with young people is the best place to start.
What book or podcast are you recommending right now?Crawford: I highly recommend reading “Ratchetdemic: Reimagining Academic Success” by Dr. Christopher Emdin. Who is your personal hero?Crawford: My grandmother. She lived to be 99 years old and raised 11 children. Donaldson: King County Councilman Larry Gossett; Janet Preston, one of the original Family Support Workers; and Thelma Payne, the program’s founding supervisor, who was like a mom to so many of us. These three took me under their wing and they are why I started doing this work in schools. What daily habit or small routine is most important to you?Crawford: Finding moments to acknowledge and meditate on something I am grateful for, something I want to produce and something I am proud of. Donaldson: I walk every day, sometimes up to 5 miles — a couple times I even go to 10. I go early, around 6 a.m., with no music or distractions. |
