African American Male Teachers Research Paper

To further understand why some African American male teachers became teachers and why they want to become teacher, I interviewed teachers currently in the field

• Ervin M. Thomas a teacher of 15 years in Jersey City, New Jersey Says that he became I chose to become an educator because I knew there was a need for a black man who understood the population he serviced… I wanted to be the sympathetic educator that I wish I had throughout my education…. I believed that if I was able to help those students struggling to cope with their socio-emotional issues then they would be better equipped to focus on academics and nothing would derail them from setting and reaching their future goals. Last, I knew it was my calling and my ultimate purpose in life — To Serve, Inspire and Uplift young people of color.

• Rickey Williams, a teacher of 12 years also in Jersey City, New Jersey says that I teach because I understand and see the need for us, black, male teachers, in the classroom. Not just someone delivering information on a particular subject but someone who looks like, understands, and can relate to

At the time, my cousin and I were apartment hunting and were having dinner with one of my best friends, who used to work at the same boys school in which I currently teach. We cried. We were silent. We commiserated over Trayvon’s life and the lives of other black and brown boys and girls who don’t have an Al Sharpton to ignite or mobilize the country to rally for their justice. I teach for my ancestors who died for opportunity the names and faces of whom I will never be able to thank or repay. I teach for my two ten year-old brothers, Jared and Nacir. I teach for the boys who will soon become men. I teach because it’s