LONNIE WOODS III

Pour into others, but fill your cup first.

Showing care and concern for my students and colleagues is essential to creating a supportive and empowering learning environment. However, I also know that I can’t effectively care for others if I neglect my own well-being. Self-care is a priority for me because when I am whole, I can serve my students more fully. I strive to model this balance, teaching the importance of self-love and self care and mutual respect as the foundation of a healthy community.

Imagination + manifestation generates creativity. 

As an artist first, I believe teaching and learning require creativity and boldness, regardless of the subject. In my classroom, creativity is a tool for problem-solving and connection, encouraging students to challenge norms and experiment freely. My personal style, reflecting my unapologetic Black and Queer identity, is a deliberate act of self-expression and authenticity. I hope to inspire students to explore their own creativity and individuality for THEMSELVES, not by imitation, but by discovering and embracing their unique voice and style in their academic work as well as in their personal lives.

I bring my ancestors with me.

I do not shy away from sharing and expressing my culture and encouraging  students to do the same. I believe in moving beyond the traditional white canon that often excludes the vital contributions of people of color to the world. Culture is more than shared beliefs, values, and behaviors—it’s the lived experiences, histories, and expressions that shape who we are. I intentionally infuse cultural history, context, and modern culture into my teaching so that students understand I am not speaking at them, but living in the world with them.

I replace “ What do you want to be when you grow up?”, with ” How does who you are now and who you want to become correlate?"

My teaching style constantly connects to career outcomes, helping students reimagine their professional paths with creativity and clarity. Drawing from my experience as an academic, advisor, and career coach, I ensure students understand how their artistic skills can be monetized and how careers can be built—whether through entrepreneurship or working within a company. I encourage them to envision their future impact in the world and integrate career-focused conversations into everyday learning.

Network across. Be open to new perspectives.

In my classroom, students are co-creators of knowledge, actively shaping the learning process for themselves and others through conversations, experiential activities, and inquiry-based learning. My role is to guide this collaboration, allowing their unique voices and diverse perspectives to enrich our collective experience.