Where Are Black Male Teachers?; Black Parents Continue the ParentRevolution

Making Progress; Moving Forward! Where Are the Black Male Teachers? Black Parents Continue Parent Revolution American Promise Are You Ready For Some Basketball? Links:The Black Star Project's website: blackstarproject.org Black Star Journal: blackstarjournal.org Become a Member: Click Here Event Calendar: Click Here Like us on Facebook: Where Are the Black Male Teachers? By Donald G. Nicolas February 25, 2014 Vanessa Solis for Education Week/Artist Allen Often, particularly in urban schools and districts, someone asks: "Where are the black male teachers?" Statements affirming the need for more black male teachers are commonplace. As an experienced black educator and former assistant principal, I have heard assertions that more must be done to increase the number of black educators in our schools. I have also seen the tremendous impact an effective black male educator can have in the classroom. Notice I use the word effective; this is because an ineffective black male educator can have a more detrimental impact on a school than perhaps a teacher from any other demographic. If I am being candid, I can attest personally to the fact that in many schools, the only abundance of black men comes in the form of custodians, food-service employees, and transportation workers. In addition, in conversations with my colleagues, it is widely understood that if black men are educators, they more often than not are physical education teachers or coach in some capacity. Black men are largely underrepresented in our nation's classrooms; it has been widely reported that they make up less than 2 percent of our country's teachers. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is heading up several initiatives to help recruit black men into our classrooms, most notably TEACH.org, a public-private initiative with a mission to "help great candidates find places in today's rapidly evolving classrooms." However, could all efforts to increase the number of black men in the classroom be in vain? I think so. Let me explain why, and what we can do to help. Click Here to Read Full Commentary Donald G. Nicolas is a 5th grade teacher at a public school in Broward County, Fla. Black Parents United and The Black Star Community PTA continue the Parent Revolution Thursday, February 27, 2014 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm 3509 South King Drive, Suite 2B Chicago, Illinois 92% of Black male teens in Chicago are unemployed 91% of Black male teens in Chicago cannot read at a proficient level 49 Chicago schools were closed last year 74% of all suspended Chicago students are Black males Learn to ensure that Black children, boys and girls, can read at grade level Learn to find male and female mentors for your children Learn to organize with other parents to improve the education of your children Learn to navigate schools system to get the best outcome for your children. Black parents must take control of the education of Black students. Nothing short of a full-blown Black parent movement can save Black children! Do You Want a Revolution??? or more of the same? Join us on Thursday at The Black Star Project. Call 773.285.9600 for more information. *************************************************************************** This meeting is made possible with generous support from The Field Foundation of Illinois and the Woods Fund of Chicago. See the Awarding Winning Documentary American Promise Monday, March 3, 2014, 7:00 pm Free and Open to Public at The University of Chicago International House 1414 East 59th Street Chicago, Illinois A documentary that traces the lives of two African-American students for 13 years. They both enroll as kindergarteners at The Dalton School, an elite private day school in New York City. Watch as they grow and meet with the challenges of young Black men in America. Sponsored by the Center for the Study of Race, Politics and Culture. Join us for a discussion after the film with University of Chicago professors & CSRPC Faculty Affiliates Cathy J. Cohen, Waldo E. Johnson, Jr., and Micere Keels. Fathers, Grandfathers, Foster Fathers, Blended Fathers, Uncles, Brothers, Friends, Mentors, Neighbors, Male Caregivers and Others Are Invited to Bring Young People and Join The Black Star Project's Fathers Club for Outstanding Division One College Basketball See the University of Illinois Chicago Flames versus the Wright State Raiders on Saturday, March 1, 2014, 1:00 pm at the UIC Pavilion 525 South Racine (500 south and 1200 west) Chicago, Illinois Free Admission with RSVP to 773.285.9600 Game time is at 1 pm. A bus will pick up attendees who need transportation at 11:45 am from 3509 S. King Drive and will arrive at stadium before the game begins. Buses will return after the game. Please call 773.285.9600 to RSVP for free tickets or for more information. Women are especially invited to bring their children.