Pa. teacher wears costumes of historical figures for Black History Month

Matteo Iadonisi Image
Monday, February 12, 2024
Teacher wears costumes of historical figures for Black History Month
Each day during Black History Month, Spanish teacher Tamika Burton introduces students to noteworthy figures in a fashionable way.

EXTON, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- "Black history is American history and everyone should know some of these people," said Tamika Burton.

Burton, a Spanish teacher at Collegium Charter School, is now in her third year of dressing up as noteworthy figures during Black History Month.

Her costumes range from prominent people like Rosa Parks and Jimi Hendrix to lesser-known figures like Bessie Mae Cunningham, with whom she had a personal relationship.

"They had to be extraordinary, crazy, and go against the norm," she said about these historical figures. "If I can do it to make some kids learn and a few adults, I'm happy."

Watch the video above to hear the full story in Burton's own words.

RELATED: Window art installations act as portals to Black history in Philadelphia

You can take a tour to discover Black history in Philadelphia's historic 7th Ward from now until February 23rd.