Beacon Assistant Principal Helps Launch African American Literature Unit at Sussex Consortium

On February 3, Sussex Consortium Sweetbriar welcomed a special guest to help kick off its African American Genre Lab with the American Reading Company (ARC). Beacon Middle School Assistant Principal, Mr. Dontez Collins visited all four middle school classrooms, bringing energy, expertise, and a meaningful connection to the featured text of the week.

As part of the launch, Mr. Collins read Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes, a celebrated picture book that explores identity, confidence, and self-love through the experience of a young boy visiting a neighborhood barbershop. The book served as the centerpiece of Sweetbriar’s theme week on identity and self-worth within its broader study of African American literature.

At Sweetbriar, educators are using picture books as anchor texts during themed weeks to help students explore African American literature in engaging and accessible ways. Picture books provide rich vocabulary, build background knowledge, and support a variety of learning styles. They also strengthen oral language skills and foster a love of reading, while reinforcing the same story elements found in longer, more complex texts.

In Crown, the barbershop becomes more than just a setting, it is a place where a young boy’s confidence and self-esteem are affirmed and celebrated. To deepen students’ understanding, Mr. Collins brought along his professional barbering tools, sharing and demonstrating many of the items mentioned in the book. He also expanded on the tools and techniques used in the barbering profession, offering students insight into the craft and the pride associated with it. “I wanted the students to see that the tools I use are more than just clippers and combs. They’re instruments that help build confidence and pride,” Mr. Collins shared. “A haircut might seem simple, but in the barbershop it’s about community, care, and helping someone walk out feeling their very best.”

“Students were captivated by Mr. Collins’ enthusiastic reading and his willingness to share his extensive barbering knowledge,” said Ms. Michele Stouffer, Reading Specialist at the Sussex Consortium. “His visit not only brought the story to life, but also highlighted the real-world connections between literature, culture, and community.”

The engaging kickoff set a positive and meaningful tone for the marking period, encouraging students to reflect on themes of identity, pride, and self-confidence while celebrating the richness of African American literature.