“I will never give up on you.” As a teenager, Dr. Mawdo Fall, EL teacher at Summit Road STEM Elementary School, faced challenges that nearly derailed him from the path his parents set for him. Struggling to connect with traditional academic learning, Dr. Fall acted out and felt overlooked. A teacher said seven words that changed his life and helped him rediscover his purpose.
“Those words- ‘I will never give up on you’ lit a fire in me,” said Dr. Fall. “I realized I was able to trust an adult, which in turn, made me want to become the kind of educator who would do the same for someone else’s child.”
Dr. Fall is a Senegalese American, born in a small coastal town called Mbour. “I bring a unique perspective to my role as an EL teacher, having been an English language learner myself,” he said. “I’ve dedicated my career to guiding students through the challenges of language acquisition, fostering not just their English proficiency but also supporting their confidence and success in diverse educational environments.”
Dr. Fall has been with Reynoldsburg City Schools for 10 years. He holds a master's degree in English Literature, with a specialization in American Civilization and Literature, a master's in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), and a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction. He can now also add published author to his list!
On April 30, 2025, Dr. Fall will publish UNSHATTERED, a middle-grade coming-of-age story set in 1990s Senegal. The novel follows Bakari, a young boy navigating the challenges of adolescence, family expectations, and personal dreams in the face of immense loss and cultural pressure.
“I first discovered my love for storytelling as a child in Senegal, listening to elders, particularly my grandmother's captivating tales,” Dr. Fall explains. “Her stories ignited my imagination and instilled a deep appreciation for the power of narrative. My academic journey, particularly my MA in English Literature, further fueled this passion. I was introduced to American, British, and African authors like Ben Okri, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, and Chinua Achebe, whose works expanded my understanding of storytelling and its ability to convey rich cultural and emotional depth. This combination of early influences and academic exposure continues to shape my writing today.”
While UNSHATTERED is Dr. Fall’s debut novel, he also published a poetry book in 2012. “In March, to celebrate Read Across America, I spoke with Summit STEM Elementary’s 4th and 5th grade students about the book-writing process,” Dr. Fall said. “My main message is that we are all authors of our own stories. Storytelling often begins with a single idea, an experience, or a moment that takes root in your mind, and sometimes, those stories refuse to be silenced. They demand to be heard. So, my advice to young aspiring writers is simple: listen to those stories and write them.
Since that day, many students have approached me with drafts and ideas for stories they want to write about. It truly makes my heart smile to see the excitement in their eyes as they begin to realize the power of their own voices and the potential they hold as storytellers,” concluded Dr. Fall.
Thank you for everything you do for our students, Dr. Fall, and congratulations on UNSHATTERED. We are #REYNProud of you.