When Wayne Sims II began his college journey as a student-athlete majoring in business, he did not know it would lead him to a career in education.
As he approached his senior year at Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina, he realized that a career in professional baseball was unlikely, so he began exploring other options.
While in college, Sims had his first experience with students as a mentor in the Upward Bound program. He explained that Upward Bound is a program that allows inner-city minors to live on a college campus and take classes. College students serve as mentors to the children.
“One thing I did do every year in college is work for the Upward Bound program,” said Sims. “I was on campus, training, so I wanted to make extra money, so I was a tutor counselor for the program. It was a really cool experience.”
Sims went on to earn his Master of Business Administration from the University of Dallas in Irving and began working for Sherwin Williams.
After four years with the company, Sims decided that he wanted to work in a field that would impact the lives of others, so he joined Teach for America about eight or nine years ago. He has not looked back since.
Sims’ journey to the Cornerstone Crossroads Academy (CCA) is unique, mainly because he was not seeking a leadership position.
Still, when he spoke with Kristi Lichtenberg, Ed.D., the executive director of Cornerstone Crossroads Academy, at a fundraising event called Redeemed Women, she expressed that she was looking for a principal and wanted Sims to interview for the position.
Sims landed the role and has served as principal at the academy for the last four years. He says that he enjoys what he does.
“I love my [students]. I think it is important for them to see someone they can relate to,” says Sims. “I have not had the exact same experiences, but a lot of similar ones.”
Cornerstone Crossroads is different from public schools, Sims says students are not required to be Christians to attend the academy.
“The only thing that a student has to be willing to do here is participate in our chapel classes,” said Sims. “We do Bible study once a week on Fridays, and students have to be willing to join. They do not have to agree, but we aim to invite them into the conversation.”
The academy offers another option for students who struggle in the traditional school setting. High schoolers and young adults can attend CCA and obtain a high school diploma or GED.
Sims said one advantage of CCA as opposed to public schools is that the academy has more control over its curriculum.
“Whenever you are teaching history, you have to give full context,” he said, giving an example. “We (CCA) have the ability to bring up events that happened in the past and are able to discuss them as good or bad.”
Sims added, “One, the discussions give students the opportunity to think critically. Two, we have to talk about history so that it does not repeat itself.”
CCA has no plans of stopping its great works anytime soon. The academy purchased the Phyllis Wheatley School in South Dallas from the Dallas Independent School District. The new location will allow more students to attend and provide more services for the community.
Currently, CCA is accepting donations to renovate the building that was once an elementary school. Those who would like to give to those efforts can donate here.
As many people know, working in a school can be physically or emotionally demanding, so finding ways to detach are essential.
“I’m still learning to disconnect,” said the principal. “It’s really easy to get enthralled in your work and always thinking like, ‘How can I make the students better?’ But, I lean into some of my hobbies. I really enjoy skating, and I’m a foodie, so I love trying different foods. I also have a mini long-haired Dachshund that I care for.”
Sims credits his inspiration to his father, whom he watched work hard for over 20 years, and said he finds inspiration in his students as well because of how much they overcome daily.
