Uncrowned Community Builders

Jerry D. Pope was a dedicated educator and school administrator, who entered the teaching profession as a social studies teacher after having left a career as an executive trainee at the Manufacturers and Traders Trust Bank (M&T). He began his teaching career in September 1966, at School 51, where he taught seventh and eighth grade social studies. When he received a transfer from School 51, he became a member of the instructional staff at Kensington High School where he taught both African-American history and American history. Jerry also held the position of helping teacher at School 43 Academy and he taught social studies at School 28. To complement his instruction, he, with his wife and children, toured the United States. At the end of his career, he had toured nearly all fifty states. The tours focused on both African-American history and American history. He taught social studies at Kensington until he became a home school coordinator in the Office of School Integration for the Buffalo Public Schools; he later became the Supervisor of School Integration.

The son of the late James and Geraldine Hopson Pope, Jerry received his education in the Buffalo Public Schools. He received the Jesse Ketchum Award, the highest academic award upon graduation from junior high school. Following his graduation from Hutchinson Central Technical High School, he attended Erie Community College and majored in industrial chemistry. Employment by New York State as an examiner of air qualities required his relocating to New York City. Upon leaving this position, he entered Kentucky State College. Mr. Pope graduated with honors from Kentucky State College, Frankfort, Kentucky, where he majored in history and political science with a minor in sociology. He was president of the student government and he participated in intramural sports. Jerry was appointed by the Governor of Kentucky to the Commission of Children and Youth. At Kentucky State, Jerry held membership in Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. During his professional career as an educator and school administrator, he served as assistant principal at Kensington High School, Buffalo Traditional School, City Honors School, South Park High School, Buffalo Vocational Technical Center (now again, East High School). Jerry served as acting principal of Kensington Prep High School. When he retired from the district in 1997, he was at Buffalo Vocational Technical Center (BVTC). Jerry held New York State Certification in School Administration and Supervision (Permanent), the SDA (School District Administrator) and Secondary Social Studies.

Jerry served on several Buffalo Public School District Curriculum Committees, including the Bicentennial Committee, Ethnic Groups Curriculum Committee, ESAA Planning Committee, Philosophy Textbook Committee, and American People Curriculum Committee. Other committees included the BTF Educational Development Committee and Integration Task Force. His professional affiliations included Phi Delta Kappa, The Black Educators Association of Western New York, where he was a charter member and the treasurer, the Afro-American Historical Association (former Board member), NICYO (National Inner City Youth Organization), Youth Educational Support Program Mentor, and Community Action Organization Mentoring Program. For two years, he served as president of the Secondary Assistant Principals Association. He received his Master of Science degree with honors in Secondary Social Studies and acquired the School District Administrator's Certificate from the State University College at Buffalo.

Jerry met Theresa Ernestine Richardson at Kentucky State College. They were married for forty years and their two children, Michea Pope-Moss, Buffalo, New York, and Jerry D. Pope Jr., who resides in Lawrenceville, Georgia, have five children: Meiasha, Raiziya, and Tiajeri Moss, Buffalo; Jerica Pope, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Jasmine Pope, Lawrenceville, Georgia. The Popes are a well known Buffalo family, and Jerry's siblings include Evelyn Green, Gayle Pope, Lamarr, James, Randolph, Kenneth and the late Lonnie, Alfred, and Wayne. Jerry's pride and joy were in educational instruction and administration. He was always pleased to be complimented by his former students and to learn that he had influenced their lives with his instruction, encouragement, and guidance. Many remembered his instruction in African-American history and American history, as well as learning techniques that he taught them, and they recalled that Mr. Pope taught me that."