Homecoming: A Teacher Leader’s Story
Jan 7, 2026
Words by Anne Bannister | Photography by Anne Bannister, Brian Diggs, & Karen Wang| A Charles Butt Foundation Production
Igniting fires of learning in the classroom
As LaDerrington Bradford (fondly known as L.B.) walks down the hall, he greets everyone he meets with a handshake, high-five, or an enthusiastic smile. He’s the heart of Cleveland High School, located in Cleveland, Texas, roughly 45 miles northeast of Houston. He checks in with everyone on how their weekend was or how their cousin is doing. He knows every student, every family connection, every story. He’s the kind of educator who makes students believe the impossible is within reach.
“It’s that, ‘I can factor,’” says Dr. Sukari Stredit, principal at Cleveland High School. “‘I can accomplish the impossible.’ That’s what a good educator can do. They light fires. They ignite passion to make you think that you can do anything. And that’s what [LaDerrington] does in the classroom, making certain that literally, [students] can walk on water if they need to.”
Directed & edited by Anne Bannister | Cinematography by Anne Bannister, Brian Diggs, & Karen Wang | A Charles Butt Foundation Production
A teacher who does it all
As a Life Skills teacher, Bradford’s classroom is a mix of high-quality instruction, learning, laughter, and essential skills for living an independent life. In his self-contained classroom of 18 students, each with an individualized education plan (IEP), he adapts lessons to the unique needs of every learner. He works one-on-one with students in support of their general education classes, while also teaching essential life skills, such as cooking, personal hygiene, budgeting, and building strong interpersonal relationships.
Some students need guidance navigating the hallways or accessing the bathroom. Others need encouragement to push through reading and math or to manage the ups and downs of teenage life. Bradford is there for all of it, partnering with administrators, teachers, and parents to create an environment where his students can thrive. His ultimate goal is to prepare students to live independently and contribute to their community after graduation.
As of the 2023–24 school year, 280 Cleveland High School students (approximately 8% of the student body) were enrolled in the special education program. Public schools remain uniquely positioned to provide individualized support for all students, especially those with special needs. Bradford shows what it looks like in practice: skill, high expectation, patience, and a warm smile every single day.
“When you see that the kids are passionate about learning and they want to be involved and they want to get the knowledge, it makes you, as a person, feel very special,” says Bradford. “To be able to do this with the life skills students here at Cleveland High School, it has just been an amazing opportunity.”