More Than A Comedy: How The Steve Harvey Show Highlighted The Importance of Educators

If there’s one thing a child will carry with them to adulthood - aside from memories of their favorite toys, friends, cartoons, trips to Disneyland, and more - are the adults in their lives who have made a huge impact and lasting impression on them. Out of all the adult figures in their lives, there are a few who, while not biologically related to them, show up for them almost every single day. 

Who, you may ask? None other than their teachers.

School serves as a home away from home for many children. From the teachers, counselors, support staff, principals, and more, school is where most children spend the majority of their days, and away from home. 

The phrase “Not all heroes wear capes,” definitely represents how most children view their teachers - as their hero. The media has done a pretty good job portraying teachers as positive role models for their students. From Hilary Swank’s dedicated character “Erin Gruwell” in Freedom Writers to Quinta’s Bruson’s hilarious, yet selfless portrayal of “Janine Teagues” on Abbot Elementary, television has shown how hard-working, committed, and intentional teachers are. Aside from playing honorary parents, older siblings, aunts, and uncles eight hours a day Monday through Friday, they had their own lives, including families, husbands, wives, children, personal problems, and so forth. Being a teacher surely is not easy, but they make it look effortless. 

One teacher in particular who stood out to me growing up was Mr. Hightower (Steve Harvey) in The Steve Harvey Show, a once former R&B singer turned teacher. Having once worked with the likes of Gladys Knight and the Pips, Hightower had to get accustomed to being overworked due to budget cuts and take on the role as music, drama, and arts teacher. He wasn’t your ordinary educator; he was chill, super laid back, and relatable to his students, particularly Romeo Santana (Merlin Santana) and Stanley “Bullethead” Kuznocki (William Lee Scott). Romeo and Bullethead were Hightower’s mentees, and boy did he have his hands full with them. 

He took his job as a teacher, mentor, and inevitably a father figure for many of his students seriously. While he did have a laid back, super chill personality and liked to joke around with his students, it was very clear through his actions that he had their back no matter what. His students were in high school meaning they were on their way to college or entering the workforce, so he was transparent with them about the real world. In other words, he did not sugar coat anything. Whether they needed advice about relationships, school, or needed to be geared in the right direction, Hightower was their go-to person.

Similar to real life teachers, Hightower had his own personal struggles that he tried his best to tend to while not letting it affect his work. Being a former musician whose love for music was evident and having to switch careers was hard on him. Although he was extremely confident and charismatic, I am sure that being on stage and singing was in the back of his mind. He used his passion for music to better his teachings as a music teacher and motivate his students to give it their all.

Booker T. Washington’s coach, Cedric Robinson (Cedric the Entertainer), love interest and principal, Regina Grier (Wendy Raquel Robinson), and the secretary Lovita Jenkins (Terri J. Vaughn each had their own ways of showing love to their students. Using humor, tough love, and a little funny sarcasm, they were able to relate to many.

Overall, The Steve Harvey Show was another one of my favorites that made me excited to start high school. My elementary school self thought it would be so cool to have a teacher like Mr. Hightower who could potentially be my honorary uncle, and staff and admin who made school feel like a second home. Every child needs positive role models whether they are at home or in school, and this show emphasized the importance of the phrase, "It takes a village to raise a child."