Twenty-two junior and senior males are earning college credit for a new program that encourages Black men to pursue elementary education careers. A partnership between Patrick Henry High School and Black Men Teach (BMT), a Twin Cities nonprofit, brings these students together twice weekly throughout the school year to understand how teaching is not only a viable career, but one of the greatest ways one can give back to their community. The Education Pathways Program, led by BMT’s Program Director Domonick Fields, focuses on emotional development, building self-awareness and learning responsible decision making. Using these skills, students learn the ins and outs of preparing for a teaching career, including college curriculum, teacher licensure and placement.
“The idea for this program grew out of conversations I had last year with former Henry High School Principal Yusuf Abdullah and lead teacher Ms. Tameika Williams” said Markus Flynn, Executive Director of Black Men Teach. “Black teachers at the elementary level are greatly under-represented in Twin Cities schools as well as throughout Minnesota.” The Minneapolis and St. Paul public school systems serve approximately 75 percent students of color while the teacher corps is only 17 percent of color.
“We know that when Black students have a Black man leading their class,” said Flynn, “they have a better perception of themselves, their math and reading scores improve, they are less likely to have behavioral issues, and are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college. Particularly during and after the COVID pandemic, Black students need Black role models to overcome fear and make meaningful connections. From the moment a man indicates that he wants to be a teacher, Black Men Teach will help him navigate the process and show him a pathway to success.”
Launched in 2018, Black Men Teach strives to recruit, prepare, place and retain Black male teachers in elementary schools. Partnerships with Twin Cities K-5 schools, high schools, higher education institutions, community organizations, foundations, corporations, and individual donors are bringing this vision to reality. The Education Pathways Program at Henry High School hopes to grow to 30 students each year going forward. BMT is leading a similar at St. Louis Park High School. For more info on Black Men Teach go to blackmenteachtc.org.