Identity Firsts: For two years as a teaching assistant in a Pre-K classroom, Johnathon Hines learned about rituals and routines and how to keep a 4-year-old student’s attention long enough to impart a lesson.

The job was supposed to be a way into the school system while Hines waited for a physical education position to come available. Those are coveted. Many who become PE teachers only give them up when they retire. Or die.

When a job finally became available four years ago, Hines turned it down. More…