Mr. Latortue he is head basketball coach and ELA teacher. I decided to interview him because he is a great role model. We sat down in Room 21 and he was very nice and chill as he answered all my questions.
How did you become the basketball head coach?
I became the basketball head coach because Mr. Lamusho hired me a long time ago because he wanted somebody to coach the boys team and help build the basketball program here in our school.
Do you enjoy being an ELA teacher?
I love being an ELA teacher. It’s fun. I also like reading. If you check my book bag right now, I have a book in there right now by Dan Hurley called Never Stop. So I enjoy reading.
How did you become a D1 player?
Funny enough, I got recruited to play D2 basketball. Things didn’t pan out, but then I went to D1 school and one of my boys was like, “Yo, you should try out.” So I ended up trying out. I made the team. And what I mean by that was there was some paperwork that I was missing, and then they were just like, “You can just practice with the team.” So I just practiced with the team for half the season, maybe three quarters of it. Then after that, I just said, I’d rather just focus on my education. What school was it? St. Peter’s University.
How old were you when you first started playing basketball?
I was nine.
What do you like out of being a teacher?
I love seeing you guys always have great ideas. I like when you guys think for yourselves and ask questions that make me think. I think that’s also great. And also when you help your classmates out or help each other out.
Where did you grow up and where are you from?
I grew up in Washington Heights. It’s 20 minutes from here. And my nationality, my family, is from Haiti. So there’s a country right next to the Dominican Republic.
Who was your role model?
I had a couple with my mom. I had a big brother. My big brother was a role model to me. My big sister was a big role model to me. And then I had a teacher, my fifth-grade teacher’s name was Mr. Ruiz. He was mad cool. He always looked out for me and he also helped me play basketball. Also my other basketball coach, Mr. J. Those guys also taught me how to play basketball and just how to be better.
What are your beliefs?
It’s funny. Somebody asked me something similar to that. My beliefs are to always appreciate the hard work that you do in the middle of things. You know what I mean? Sometimes we lose sight of the hard work that we did to get to where you need to go, and we have to learn how to appreciate what we do in the middle of all the hard work we do to get to the end goal, to that championship, or to that graduation. You know what I mean?
What advice will you give your younger self?
Never give up. Keep pushing, keep trying, and to keep wanting to help other people.
