StoryCorps Chicago Finale: ‘A Lot Of Kids Don’t Have A Crazy Dad To Keep Pushing Them’

By Bill Healy
Garry Scott Mitchell, Sr. & Jr.
A teacher once told Garry Mitchell, Sr. that he was too involved in his son’s education. When he came to StoryCorps with his son Scottie, they talked about the importance of adults advocating for young people. StoryCorps Chicago
Garry Scott Mitchell, Sr. & Jr.
A teacher once told Garry Mitchell, Sr. that he was too involved in his son’s education. When he came to StoryCorps with his son Scottie, they talked about the importance of adults advocating for young people. StoryCorps Chicago

StoryCorps Chicago Finale: ‘A Lot Of Kids Don’t Have A Crazy Dad To Keep Pushing Them’

By Bill Healy
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Garry Scott Mitchell, Jr. is getting his doctorate from Harvard in education. 

When he was in middle school, though, he wasn’t assigned to an advanced math and reading class. His father showed up at the principal’s office and demanded they let his son in. A teacher told Garry Mitchell, Sr. that he was too involved in his son’s education. 

When the pair came to StoryCorps in 2018, they talked about how important it is for adults to advocate for young people. And in revisiting of their interview, Garry Mitchell, Sr.’s pride in his son is as strong as ever.

Bill Healy produces StoryCorps Chicago for WBEZ and teaches journalism at Northwestern University. A podcast he produced was a finalist for the 2021 Pulitzer Prize in Audio Reporting. Follow him @chicagoan.