Addressing the Lack of Black Male Teachers in America
The shortage of teachers in the United States is a well-known problem, but another concern is the shortage of Black male teachers in the classroom. In Louisiana, two organizations, Grambling State University’s Call Me MiSTER program and Brothers Empowered to Teach (BE2T), are working to change that by recruiting and training men of color to become teachers and increase the number of Black male teachers in American public schools.
The Importance of Black Representation in the Classroom
According to George Noflin Jr., director of Call Me MiSTER at Grambling State University, less than 2% of teachers in America are Black men, despite the fact that men of color make up about 7% of the U.S. population. The goal of the program is to shift the mindset of potential educators and show them that teaching is about service to the community, not money.
Black male educators believe that there is a greater impact in the classroom when kids see a teacher who looks like them and has had similar life experiences and biases. “Kids become what they see,” says Larry Irvin, CEO of Brothers Empowered to Teach. “If we want to inspire the next generation, they need to see Black men teaching.”
A study by John Hopkins found that if a Black student in grades three through five has a Black teacher, they have a 39% higher chance of graduating high school. This highlights the importance of having Black representation in the classroom.
The Work of Call Me MiSTER and Brothers Empowered to Teach
Brothers Empowered to Teach is a nonprofit organization that supports and develops Black male undergraduate students who are interested in teaching in K-12 classrooms. They do this by providing paid fellowships, introducing the fellows to teaching in classroom environments, and facilitating conversations around masculinity, gender identity, resume building, and marketing yourself within education. “Brothers Empowered to Teach provides community and conversation for our young men who are going into the K-12 space, where they are not in highly represented demographics,” says Irvin.
Call Me MiSTER was originally founded on the campus of Clemson University in 2000, and Grambling started a local chapter in 2020. The program is one of the leading Call Me MiSTER programs in the South, and Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow helped secure a $2 million federal grant for the program to pay for scholarships. Upon graduation, students are required to teach in Louisiana for the number of years they received funding during their undergraduate studies.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many industries, including education. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 44% of public schools reported vacancies at the start of the Fall 2022 semester, and teachers are quitting at a higher rate than normal. This is causing even more concern considering the already low representation of minorities in the teaching profession.
However, Noflin is not discouraged by the alarming statistics. In fact, he believes that this is where Call Me MiSTER comes into play. The organization aims to set young Black men up for success and provide them with the opportunity to become teachers.
The Impact of Philanthropy
Brothers Emicioui
powered to Teach recently received a game-changing donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. Irvin says that with these helpful donations, his nonprofit has placed 170 teachers since the beginning of 2014.
FAQ
1. What is the Call Me MiSTER program?
Call Me MiSTER is a program at Grambling State University that aims to recruit and train men of color to become teachers with the goal of increasing the number of Black male teachers in American public schools.
2. What is the purpose of Brothers Empowered to Teach?
Brothers Empowered to Teach is a nonprofit organization that supports and develops Black male undergraduate students who are interested in teaching in K-12 classrooms. They provide paid fellowships and facilitate conversations around masculinity, gender identity, resume building, and marketing yourself within education.
3. Why is it important to have Black representation in the classroom?
Black male educators believe that there is a greater impact in the classroom when kids see a teacher who looks like them and has had similar life experiences and biases. A study by John Hopkins found that if a Black student in grades three through five has a Black teacher, they have a 39% higher chance of graduating high school, highlighting the importance of having Black representation in the classroom.
4. How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the teaching profession?
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many industries, including education. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 44% of public schools reported vacancies at the start of the Fall 2022 semester, and teachers are quitting at a higher rate than normal. This is causing even more concern considering the already low representation of minorities in the teaching profession.
5. How has philanthropy impacted Brothers Empowered to Teach?
Brothers Empowered to Teach recently received a game-changing donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. Irvin says that with these helpful donations, his nonprofit has placed 170 teachers since the beginning of 2014.
Overall, Call Me MiSTER and Brothers Empowered to Teach are two organizations working to address the lack of Black male teachers in America and provide opportunities for young Black men to become successful educators. With their continued efforts, they hope to inspire the next generation and make a positive impact in the classroom.
