Khayree Bey
McCullough Middle School
Tell us a little about your education?
I graduated from Pennsville Memorial High School, Pennsville NJ class of 1990. After being honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps, as a E-4 with a NATO Top Secret Clearance, I attended Salem Community College and graduated 2009 with an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts. I then attended Wilmington University and received my Bachelors 2011 in Behavioral Science and my Masters 2014 in Elementary Education K-6. I am also Highly qualified in Health and Physical Education K-12.
Any family info you would like to share?
I meet my wife Allyson in Washington DC while I was in the United States Marine Corps and she was a McDonalds All Star and a division 1 basketball player at The American University. We have been together for 28 years and married for 20 years. We have two sons. RaSahir who is 16 in 9th grade, runs Cross Country and Track at William Penn High School. MessIao (pronounced messiah) is 21, he attends Temple University in Philadelphia PA and graduated from William Penn High School class of 2018.
What’s your history in education (where and what have you taught)?
I started my teaching career as a substitute teacher for Kelly Staffing in 2009. I substituted all over northern Delaware as I finished my Master in Education K-12. In 2011, I took on a longterm substitute positions at George Read Middle School teaching 6th grade science and then later at McCullough Middle School where I instructed ISS and Social Studies. I completed my Masters in Education, student teaching 6th grade at McCullough Middle School. I was then hired as a Health teacher at McCullough Middle School in 2014. In 2018 I was given the opportunity, by past superintendent Dr. Blakey and our present superintendent Dr. Menzer, to create my Mindfulness Based Stress Relief classes entitled, Healthy Living and Mind Body Fit Club.
Why do you teach?
I teach because a quality education is something that no one can ever take away. By empowering children to think critically, evaluate options and opportunity, and by encouraging an intrinsic love for learning, students can become successful life long learners. As a African American male, I believe I can be a positive influence on the lives of any student I come in contact with. I also teach to be a positive representative for an under and often misrepresented population that has a lot to offer todays students, staff and the community.
Why do you choose to teach in Colonial?
The reason I chose Colonial School District is because I reside within the district and am the parent of children and have other family members who attend CSD. In addition, as I was substituting around Delaware finishing my masters degree, I had the opportunity to see what many of the other school districts were like and what they had to offer their students, staff and community. Colonial stood out to me amongst the rest by being operative and not just speculative in their actions and were truly putting in the effort to live up to their messages and slogans, “Every Child College and Career Ready”, “Access To Opportunity”, and “The Power Of We”.
Who was your favorite teacher as a student and why?
My favorite teacher in high school was my VoTech teacher Mr Brower. He was the 1st and only African American male teacher I had. He was more than just a teacher to me, he was a mentor at a time I was in the streets making bad decisions. He empathized and related to my struggles as a young African American male.
What’s one of your favorite memories in your career?
My favorite memories are the annual talent show, Black History Month assembly, and Latino Hispanic Heritage celebrations. The enthusiastic energy throughout the school and the sense of pride and accomplishment of my students is something I continue to honor and cherish.
