Shawn Roundtree, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) social worker and athletic director, was chosen to be the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. University staff humanitarian winner.
Roundtree will receive his award at the University’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration on Wednesday, Jan. 17 in the Morris University Center Meridian Ballroom. Alison Reeves, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Educational Leadership, nominated Roundtree for the award.
“As the Charter High School social worker, my duty is to make sure our students are being well kept in a safe and thriving home environment,” said Roundtree, “and to make sure their needs are being met from all perspectives, both at home and at school. I am also responsible for making sure we are providing a conducive learning environment for our students.”
Roundtree went on to explain that his care and commitment runs the gamut from encouraging students to do their best in school, to helping young men learn how to tie a tie, affirming young girl’s self-esteem and self-worth, or visiting students at home and in the hospital, and supporting students during court appointments, sporting games and in various other ways.
“I have seen firsthand how important he is to our youth,” said Reeves. “Whether I see him at the Charter High School or in the community, Mr. Roundtree is always working to provide opportunities for young people to better themselves academically, socially and personally.”
“He supports students socially and emotionally, so they can succeed academically,” added Reeves. “Mr. Roundtree has implemented a Peace room at Charter where students with disciplinary problems can learn restorative practices that can help heal and build relationships.”
Using a portion of one of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s quotes, CHS Director Gina Jeffries says of Roundtree, “‘Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.’ Shawn Roundtree sets a daily example of love at CHS.”
Coming from a single parent household in the inner city of Chicago and seeing domestic violence first-hand, Roundtree recognizes some of the challenges that youth can face.
“The best thing about my job is the opportunity to be a role model, mentor and father figure,” said Roundtree, father of three. “I love positively influencing students and setting high expectations for them to achieve.”
It is what Roundtree said his mother did for him and his siblings. His mother’s high standards remain his driving force to be the best father, husband, employee and man that he can be.
“Being a social worker at the SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School is not a 9-5 job for Mr. Roundtree,” said Reeves. “He conducts home visits, collects and delivers food baskets for needy families and washes the uniforms of some of his students during his off hours.”
Roundtree also started an intramural basketball team, a school track team and Tree-House Productions to provide added opportunities for CHS students.
Hard work is one of King’s values that Roundtree says he adheres to daily. “Hard work will be observed by others and impact those whom you had no idea you were influencing,” he said.
“One of my favorite songs is ‘One Man Can Change the World’ by Big Sean and featuring Kanye West and John Legend,” Roundtree added. “Dr. King was that man. He stood for something that has and will affect generations of people. He was one man who inspired the world, and his dream lives on.”
Photo:
Shawn Roundtree, SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School social worker and athletic director, was selected as the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. University staff humanitarian winner.