(ThyBlackMan.com) The need for qualified male teachers is a serious issue in school systems nationally. Public, private, parochial and in higher education the demand for male teachers is high, but the availability of male teachers is small.
There are multiple reasons, for the decline of men in education, to many to mention in this Blog.
“My Quest To Teach” is about my experiences and desire not only to teach, but to mentor. I encourage men to be educators and mentors. It is not just a Black thing it is a male thing, more males need to be involved. Just as Mayor Alvin Brown the first African American to become Mayor of Jacksonville, Florida and Barack Obama, the first African American President (maybe) mentor thousands of youth, they are role models, mentors and inspirations to millions as do other men of color and culture. 
Men can fill stadiums, clubs, bars, but can’t/won’t consistently visit schools to mentor. There are too many young men and women behind prison bars that do not have positive role models, caring male adults that are serious about the value and empowerment of education. In my elementary school there are three male teachers in various roles and we all make a difference in our school. Elementary school is the foundation for educational success or can be a struggle and frustration if kids are not supported and valued.
The First Teacher:
A child’s first teacher and mentor should be their parents, but with children having children, many of these new parents lack the maturity, knowledge and patience to raise their children with critical skills that are important. Young parents have not learned how to be mature adults through their limited life experiences and lack of personal role models themselves. Having a baby does not make you an adult, a woman or a man, having a baby at a young age makes you a baby with a baby.
Mentors are Important:
Mentors teach how to interact with the world, the difference between right and wrong, how to improve life by making mature decisions, how to deal with the struggles and challenges of growing up and the value of life. Mentors teach why education and
choosing a career are important. Why exposure to cultural, community and faith based activities are important. Mentors teach why a person should be involved in their communities to “give back.” Mentors “pay it forward” with respect, discipline
and time well spent being a model and providing support.
Students with mentors are less likely to:
Miss school, take drugs, use alcohol, fight with their parents, have sex, feel alone, act out as bullies, less likely to be involved in criminal behavior and drop out of school. Those with mentors are also less likely to be teen parents themselves. There is power to being
a mentor.
Being a Teacher:
More men should be in education, with programs like Call Me Mister and others that are similar, there are growing opportunities to help men grow as qualified and capable educators. It should not look weird for men to be educators, it should be welcomed and embraced. Being a male teacher means there is a greater responsibility to be a positive force in the lives of children that are Black, White, Asian, Latino, Mexican and other nationalities and cultures. Working not only in the classroom, but being involved in the community. Being a teacher and male, means understanding that you are held to a higher standard and community expectations are high for a teacher’s appearance, actions, contributions and behavior in public. These are what young men need to see and young ladies need to have expectations for the young men they meet in life.
From the Call Me Mister programs across this country helping to prepare new teachers that are male to mentoring programs such as 5000 Role Models working hard in Miami, Florida and Jacksonville, Florida. The work is needed, but the workers are few.
Why I Mentor and Teach and Men Should Too:
I mentor to contribute to the positive growth and development of youth. I mentor to give back to my community in a productive way. I mentor to see the sparkle in children’s eyes as they realize they can accomplish great things in their lives with a good education.
I mentor so children do not feel alone in the world, they do have someone to talk to and connect with. I mentor not for money or fame, but to lift children up to a higher level that promotes success.
I mentor to prove that Black men are doing positive things in their community and not trying to sleep with every woman they know, or
deal with drugs and use alcohol to get nasty highs or sloppy drunk. I mentor to be a role model to other teachers, other Black men and young Black professionals.
I mentor because single moms and grandmothers raising children need to be able to trust someone to be positive to their children.
I mentor because sometimes single fathers need the help of their brothers to help them also.
I mentor as a teacher to show that teachers cannot choose who they teach or choose who not to teach, but accept all students as they are.
I mentor because I’m responsible and accountable for the children I teach.
I mentor because parents need a role model in teachers who are concerned with the whole family.
I teach because a teacher saved my life and I want to “pay it forward,” and pay it back.
I teach and mentor to give children a chance at success and happiness as I was given.
I mentor and teach because it is needed now more than ever. There are too many men who shout and yell about what they can do, still do nothing, but play games and sell “wolf tickets” filled with lies and empty promises to children that need love, respect, compassion and faith in someone.
Get Involved :
Call Me Mister Programs – Edward Waters College
http://www.ewc.edu/index.php/academics/academic-programs/elementary-education/call-me-mister-program
Educational Requirements for Edward Waters Call Me MISTER
http://www.ewc.edu/index.php/academics/academic-programs/elementary-education/call-me-mister-progra
5000 Roll Models – Miami, Florida
https://www.facebook.com/5000rolemodels/
Duval County Public Schools 5000
http://www.duvalschools.org/Page/16705
Staff Writer; William D. Jackson
Find out more about this talented writer over at; OCS For Education.
