(ThyBlackMan.com) “Where are the male teachers? And, more broadly, how can men participate in both traditional and nontraditional educator roles in the communities that need them most. Imagine walking into a school that has an equal number of men and women educating and leading our next generation.
Think of the difference male teachers and role models could make in our country, a place where at least 57% of schools are in high poverty and urban environments. As school districts are becoming more and more diverse, yes less diverse in their teaching force, the balance must shift toward an equal number of male and female teachers. Men who want to impact our next generation of leaders will enjoy the Men Educator’s Network….. for conversation, sharing, supporting, inspiring! M.E.N.” of DCPS
Let’s not talk about the decline of Male Teachers, let’s not talk about the lack of African American, Asian, Latina, and other cultures in the educational profession. Let’s not address the extinction of the 
male presence in a growing number of school classrooms and districts across the nation. Let’s look at the here and now of helping male teachers that are working as educators, administrators and support personnel to contribute to the success of all students. Department of Education data shows less than 5% of this nation’s teachers are African American men and less than 15% are men. This speaks volumes because kids need to see male teachers and teachers of color. The visual identity that African American men and other men of color and culture can be positive, productive and purposeful is a mind blowing experience for children of color and culture that may not have these visual representations of stability, pride and success.
Teaching is hard work at any level, I have 27 years in public education at the time of this blog and 17 years in higher education. The work has always been worthwhile, valuable, and rewarding, it can be stressful and the rewards are delayed because it is dependent on working to get youth, teens and young adults to see their potential and work towards it. Sometimes it involves getting parents to see how important they are to the educational process as well.
All men from administrators, educators, custodians, cafeteria workers, and teacher aides are important because they represent a support system for boys and girls, the potential of their success and hope for the future that our young people can gain from the experiences and wisdom of men. The potential to grow beyond current circumstances and the hope for a better life.
From the article, “Black Male Teachers Becoming Extinct,” March 2012 (CNN) Teris King, shares a feeling that other male teachers share, “I fill a void in their (students) lives.” He shares truth because to many boys and girls do not have consistent and positive male role models. Extending his experiences that, “A lot of them have never felt what it feels like to shake a man’s hand, tell them right from wrong in a caring way. They need someone in their lives that are educated and positive.”
Even though data shows low income students need interaction from professional men, true to life all students need to know how to interact with men, to provide instruction on how to mature responsibly, be accountable for their actions, develop critical thinking and higher order thinking skills, understanding and relating to their place in society, their roles as developing young men and their duties/responsibilities as future professionals, husbands and fathers. Programs like the “Teach Campaign,” “Call Me Mister,” “My Brother’s Keeper,” “5000 Role Models” and others are working to encourage and provide financial support to bring more men into education and lead to other professions. To show how empowering education is.
Reaching young men early provides opportunities to show young men that they have options through education not crime. They have talents, skills and abilities that can Brand them in order to Market themselves in diverse educational markets anywhere in the nation or the world. The encouraging reports from the Department of Education that this can change with male teachers sharing their experiences with other young men to give them hope through their challenges in life.
School districts like Duval County Public Schools where I teach are seeing the need of more male teachers, not just physical education and coaching, but in key areas like Pre-K, Kindergarten, and subject areas not traditionally taught by men. Subjects like STEM, STREAM, CSTEM, need men to show the diversity of careers, peer collaboration, networking, and explaining why higher education and vocational education are important to the economic stability of young men.
Positive images allow boys and young men to look away from gangs, drugs, and crime to focus on education, to look forward to employment, traveling and careers that they never thought about. Students are generally excited in many cases about having a male teacher because students seek that male nurturing, the acceptance of a male in a positive way and having a caring adult that will teach them, mentor and guide them to success. Male teachers can help young males transition through the rough times of puberty, dating, peer pressure and the insecurities of building who and what they are, the potential to grow and exceed their own expectations.
Duval County Public Schools is increasing the support of male teachers with the M.E.N meetings that provides unique professional development opportunities to meet the needs of men that are educators, administrators and even support personnel. Even though the populations of many school districts of male teachers are small, Duval County Public Schools knows the influence of male teachers is tremendous and long lasting. DCPS has M.E.N. meeting to support the educational process of male teachers and administrators. Partnering with the “Call Me Mister” program housed at Edward Waters College under the leadership of Mr. Charles Francis these joint partnerships help to continue to build male teachers from the school of Education and Urban Studies at Edward Waters College. Helping new teachers to make the transition from college graduate to educational professional.
Support programs and national data accumulated, male teachers need to be supported because they share generational successes. Male teachers are held to a higher standard because of their influences as leaders, role models and influencers that extend outside of the classroom and schools. Male teachers influence extends into the community because of their presence and connection with students especially students of color and culture who may not be exposed to a positive model at home. Male teachers are seen coaching, mentoring, in academic and non-academic roles. From my experiences that I know other male teachers share when students see me in the store, in the community and even in the mall there are smiles, handshakes, and hugs from students and parents because of the relationships male teachers create.
Resources:
M.E.N. – The Male Educators’ Network (M.E.N.)
Duval County Public Schools – http://www.duvalschools.org/
Mr. Kenneth Francis, Program Manager – Call Me Mister Program
Edward Waters College, Jacksonville, Florida k.francis@ewc.edu
Staff Writer; William D. Jackson
Find out more about this talented writer over at; OCS For Education.