Why I Teach is an account of my life and the ability to persevere great physical, emotional and social obstacles to achieve my dreams and goals. There are accounts given of inmates including my younger brother who did not persevere to overcome the obstacles in life to achieve their goals and their dreams. Why I Teach gives a roadmap in how to overcome some of the greatest hills, mountains and valleys for those willing to make the right choices in life to avoid the criminal justice system. I visited numerous family members in prison and it had such a profound effect upon me that I knew prison or jail was not the place I wanted to be and certainly not the place I wanted to see others end up. As a teacher in a high poverty community, I see many of my former students making the wrong choices and going down the wrong road in life. I hope that this book provides an insider's perspective for how youth can avoid the criminal justice system.