Introducing "Ray of Light" Christopher Richardson

1. Which of our three virtues do you identify with most?

I identify most with the virtue of Excellence because I believe everyone should strive to be excellent in or at whatever they want to do. When excellence is the goal you either achieve great success or know you did your absolute best to get there. Excellence for me is trying to be your best self each day.

2. Did you have a role model/ mentor that inspired you to do what you are doing?

The people who inspired me most to teach were a handful of high school teachers and college professors who showed me the joy of teaching and what it means to truly have a positive impact on a student's life. Another person who has inspired me greatly is the late Kobe Bryant who instilled in me a strong work ethic and to inspire others to be great at whatever they want to do.

3. What is the best advice you’ve received to date?

The best advice I have received to date is to "finish strong." I first heard these words from my middle school PE teacher. Of course, you want to have a strong start at most things in life, but it doesn't always work out that way. So, when we aren't able to start off strong, you definitely want to make you have a strong finish.

4. How do you see/ understand your responsibility to your community?

I see my responsibility to my community as an important one. As a teacher, I spend many hours each with other people's children in my care. They trust me to not only educate their children, but to help care for their well-being mentally, emotionally, physically, and socially. I take this responsibility very seriously, as teachers have a significant impact on the lives of their students. So I know it is my job to be a positive example and leader in my community.

5. Ultimately, what does success look like to you?

To me, success looks like happiness. If you're not happy with yourself and the things you do at the end of the day success has not fully been achieved. For me, success is finding purpose and happiness in the things you do.

6. How can people learn more about you and the work that you're doing? Do you have a website and/or SM handles you'd like to share?

People can learn about me and the work I do professionally by following my teacher Instagram page @en.rich.u and following my personal page @blackmamba__