Victor Rios' Teacher Saved His Life
Episode Notes
At age 14, Victor Rios' best friend is shot and killed. Afterwards, Victor thought, "I am going to end up dead like him or in prison for life." But Victor turns his life around after having a high school technology teacher named, Ms. Russ. He goes on to college, earns a Ph.D. in sociology, and becomes a professor at U.C. Santa Barbara.
In this podcast episode, Dr. Rios reflects on his extraordinary life, the critical role teachers can play in students' lives, and the support teachers need to be successful, especially with students, like him, who grow up in poverty.
Near the end of the interview, Victor also speaks about the Black Lives Matter movement and the opportunity it presents for educators to help students learn about this "cultural revolution."
Story Transcript
Featured Guests:
Dr. Victor Rios is a Professor of Sociology at U.C. Santa Barbara. He conducts research on the education and well-being of marginalized young people, focusing on areas such as Teacher Support, Resilience, Delinquency and Desistance, Educational Equity, and Motivation. He has developed a professional development series implemented by educators across various districts in cities including Los Angeles, CA and Omaha, NE, addressing topics like Cultural Relevance and Proficiency, Emotional Support, and Teacher Well-Being. Dr. Rios has also created the GRIT curriculum, based on ten years of research, aimed at enhancing motivation, educational success, and resilience among educators, high school students, and college students.
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