We recently had the chance to connect with Theodore Hoskinson and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Theodore, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Recently, I went to thank Dan Huck at Five Guys for their sponsorship of our Roots and Wings Above and Beyond Teacher Recognition Awards. These awards are presented to 10 individuals at each of 20 Title 1 public elementary schools where we have our Project UpLift after school Literacy program. Winners are chosen by their peers and area merchants such as Five Guys support the awards by gifting coupons and gifts to the winners.
We always bring a “Sponsor Plaque” which we present to the sponsor and take a picture with them and then post it on social media to thank them publicly for their support. When I arrived Dan told me there was someone in the kitchen that said he knew me. I had no idea who this mystery person was. After few minutes of talking, we were ready for our picture. I suggested Dan bring out this mystery person. When he came out of the kitchen he came over to us, shook my hand … and told me I was a rock star. When I asked why, he told us that I had come into his 2nd grade classroom and honored his teacher, who he loved. And then he said … AND then the next year I was in your Reading Club. I hated reading because I wasn’t good at it and my teachers asked all of us to read out loud. The bully in my class would then make fun of me. But after-school, I was with my buddies and we got some extra time to practice phonics, and that extra help I needed to help me read and understand better. AND today, I am a sophomore at Palm Beach State College and I was just promoted to Shift Supervisor here at Five Guys.
We know we make a difference in the lives of children we have in our Project UpLift Program. We help save lives, through encouragement. Our students work hard and are rewarded for their desire and determination. I was so proud of this unexpected meeting with a student turned adult … who continues to show purpose with a great big smile.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Ted Hoskinson, founder and President of Roots and Wings, a 501c3 non-profit that began in 2016 to honor my wife Anne who had passed away that year. We had established the name of the organization in our wills and were going to give our money to it when we passed away. Anne has decided on the name and I loved it … you must have a strong foundation before you can spread your wings. As a former teacher I loved the fact that we would focus on children and families in need.
We started by honoring teachers in Title 1 schools in Delray Beach, Florida, where we had purchased our “retirement” home for the future … and we were still traveling back and forth between there and Washington, DC, where both of us grew up. She was the smarter one, having graduated from Holton-Arms School and gone on to graduate from Smith College Phi Beta Kappa and then a wonderful legal career. I attended St Albans School for Boys and then went on to Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. After that,I was an elementary teacher for many years.
At the end of that first year of honoring teachers, when I asked a Principal if there was anything else we could do to help the school, she answered “Help my kids read.” Although I did not know it at the time, only 16% of her third grade students were reading on grade level.. We talked about the mechanics of what would be the best approach …and the answer was simple: pay a few of her teachers to stay after school and give the children who are struggling a little extra time to learn the basics and practice them … staying in school after school, being taught by the teachers who knew the students and their issues. We paid, they taught and it made a big difference. These children caught up, and ended the year on par with the other students in the class.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I never considered myself a leader. But I was one of those children where reading did not come easily. Even though I went to St Albans, a great school in many ways for privileged students, I always needed to work hard. Nothing came very easily for me. But I always tried hard and did my best. I did learn that if you work hard and look for opportunities to succeed, opportunities somehow seem to come your way. It starts by showing up.
And this is the lesson we teach today. Show up and do your best. With desire and determination, you will succeed. We’re here to be beside you, cheering you on and encouraging you to be the best you can be. So that you can dream, and make your dreams reality.
BUT I am now leading the charge. We are the largest free literacy program in Palm Beach County, and this year we are helping over 1,500 elementary students in 20 schools who are in the bottom 25% of their class, reading one or two grades below grade level.
I found my “why”!
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Don’t get discouraged so quickly. Make sure to do your best and ask for help when you need it!
Mistakes teach lessons. Focus on not making the same mistake again.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Integrity and honesty.
You can’t change the way some people perceive who you are, but you know who you are.
Take pride in the accomplishments, but remember “the team” was with you all the way.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
“He did the best he could to make a difference in the world for others.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rootsandwingsinc.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootsandwingsfl/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rootsandwingsflorida
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RootsAndWingsFL/
