Roughly 40% of all New York City residents are foreign born. Many of them moved here, having to start all over again, building a new life.

One man, who lives in Queens, is reinventing himself to give back to the city and he wants to do it again.

What You Need To Know

  • Yiruole Bao, of Mongolian descent, made his way to the U.S. from China seven years ago to study dance

  • Bao had to make a career pivot after the COVID-19 pandemic left him and his dance troupe without work

  • He became an educator through “NYC Men Teach,” a city-run effort to recruit more men of color to teach in public schools

  • There are 300 men of color in the program right now, and over the years, they've helped get roughly 4,300 men into classrooms across the city

What brings Yiruole Bao serenity is moving to his Mongolian roots. The Chinese immigrant made his way to the U.S. seven years ago to study dance. It’s his first love.

But the former professional dancer makes his living doing something else.

Teaching fourth grade Math and English at P.S. 398 Walter Weaver Elementary school in Brooklyn.

“I love my job because I like myself in front of kids and explaining, and the knowledge,” Bao said. “I do satisfy from seeing my students understanding their face expression, and then their reaction.”

Bao had to make a career pivot after the COVID-19 pandemic left him and his dance troupe without work. He became an educator through “NYC Men Teach,” a city-run effort to recruit more men of color to teach in public schools.

“The society is very open-minded, and then very inclusive, and including all different cultures. When I came to New York, I don’t feel any judgmental people,” he said. “I always tell my students that just be who you are.”

His teaching name is different, though: Paul Bao. The green card holder says it is also who he is, part of his American identity.

“I grew up pretty strict environment. My teachers are pretty strict,” Bao said. “But students should be in the happy and comfortable environment to learning.”

The New York City Department of Education says diversity is important so students see teachers who look like them. NYC Men Teach has grown over the years. There are 300 men of color in the program right now — a jump of about 26% since the program launched seven years ago.

Bao admits that coming to another country or switching careers hasn’t been easy. However, he says he wants to pivot his profession again.

“The future is still in your hands,” Bao said. “You can create your future.”

His hope is to teach students what he loves. So, more than knowledge, they may find the peace and fulfillment he does in each movement.

NYC Men Teach says in total they’ve helped get around 4,300 men of color into classrooms across the city since the program began in 2016.