Johnnie M. Fullerwinder in 1966 became the first African-American teacher at George Washington High School in Danville. “I knew that if my students and fellow teachers saw me do my job well, they would come around,” she said.

“It’s hard to make that leap from what you think you want to something that is an actual better fit for what you want,” said Ashley Singletary-Claffee, who is graduating May 17.