Antoine Lunsford: Empowering Young Minds Through Storytelling And Education

When you meet Antoine Lunsford, you quickly realize he is a man who builds futures in more ways than one. As an educator in Prince George’s County and the author of the beloved Little Andy’s World children’s book series, he uses stories to spark imagination and teach life lessons to young readers. As a philanthropist, he has poured energy into community initiatives, from library programs to the Lunsford-Williams Foundation, uplifting families with scholarships, mentorship, and support.

But Antoine’s mission doesn’t stop at the classroom or the page. Through his work in financial services, he empowers individuals and families to think about wealth building and legacy planning — showing that tools like life insurance aren’t just policies, but pathways to stability and generational change.

He is, in every sense, an architect of growth — in literacy, in community, and in legacy. Today we sit down with Antoine Lunsford to talk about the power of education, storytelling, and financial empowerment, and how together they shape stronger families and stronger communities.

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1. As a Prince George’s County educator, what inspired you to first step into the classroom?

I felt called to impact the lives of others, especially children, and I knew education would provide an outlet that would give me that opportunity on a daily basis.

2. What has been one of the most rewarding moments you’ve experienced as a teacher?

This is a hard one! I’ve had so many, but receiving thank you cards from former students and parents, and when former students come back to visit me — that always warms my heart.

3. Many teachers struggle with burnout. What strategies have helped you stay motivated and connected to your students?

Lots of self-care!! Doing things that I enjoy (traveling, spending time with family/friends, etc.). Also, setting boundaries is important. I have specific days for grading and lesson planning. I respond to emails within 24 hours. The rest of my time is dedicated to business and family.

4. How do you incorporate creativity, like storytelling, into your teaching practice?

I tell a lot of stories about my life or the real-life experiences of others, and role-playing with students (they like to be involved in the lesson/activity a lot).

5. Your Little Andy’s World series uses relatable school experiences to teach life lessons. How do your students respond when they see their everyday world reflected in books?

They love it! They want to see themselves in the characters — not just in physical representation but in deeds (good or bad), the different aspects of community (housing, cultural connections, style of clothing, etc.).

6. Beyond academics, what do you believe is the most important lesson children should learn in school?

Critical thinking skills. I don’t want my students to believe anything blindly. They need to learn how to read between the lines of what they hear and see (especially on social media). Over the years, I’ve also encouraged parents to support their scholars in learning emotional intelligence, negotiation, and investing.

7. You’ve also created community initiatives through the Lunsford-Williams Foundation. How has philanthropy deepened your role as an educator?

I noticed a lot of issues that students dealt with were rooted in the lack of basic necessities: food, clothing, and shelter. So, I would host a clothing drive, create prenatal care packages for expecting parents, provide food baskets for families, as well as feed the homeless. I had to do more to take care of my community besides just educating the youth.

8. You talk often about wealth building and legacy planning. Why do you think financial literacy is so important to introduce early, even in schools?

If you can put yourself ahead of the curve by investing in your financial education, you’ll be ahead of most people in the country. Education goes beyond budgeting. If your money can work for you so you won’t have to work so hard, that’s a win-win situation. Also, you want to give your children options as they get older. If you start investing for your children at a young age, by the time they get older, they can decide if they want to go to college, start a business, etc.

9. If you could change one thing about the way schools prepare students for the future, what would it be?

There doesn’t have to be so much testing. Many students don’t test well. Teach them more real-world skills: investing, negotiation, communication skills, etc.

10. What message would you share with new teachers just starting their careers?

Be a sponge! Absorb techniques and learn skills from experienced teachers. Seek them out as mentors. It puts you in a better position. Also, invest a small percentage from your pay so you can have money working for you in addition to your salary and eventual pension upon retirement.

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About Antoine Lunsford

Antoine Lunsford is an elementary school educator and author from the Washington, D.C. Metro Area. His love of storytelling began at an early age, and over time, he came to see writing as both a passion and an art form.

While he initially questioned whether becoming an author was a realistic path, his creativity and commitment to inspiring young readers ultimately led him to create the Little Andy’s World series — a collection of engaging stories that blend relatable characters with meaningful life lessons.

Today, Lunsford continues to use his talents to educate, uplift, and empower — both inside the classroom and through his books.