The African American & Hispanic American Male Teacher Shortage

TEACHERS
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RECRUI TMENT RESOURCE GUI DE FOR PROSPECTI VE TEACHERS
www.teachersofcolor.com
SPRING 2013 $4.00
DIVERSITY
the face of
In the Classrooms of
Independent
Suburban
Charter
Urban &
Rural
Schools
38 www.teachersofcolor.com
F E A T U R E A R T I C L E
The African-American & Hispanic
Male Teacher Shortage
By: Dr. Craig Martin
Education is the
great opportunity for
us to reinvest in our
community and our
future. “If you care
about promoting
opportunity and
reducing inequality,
the classroom is a
great place to start."
Additionally, the
Depart ment of
Educati on wi l l
absolve teachers of
student loan debt
after ten years of
service and offer
education majors up
to $4,000 in teaching
grants.
New teachers can
i n c r e a s e t h e i r
marketability and take home pay by specializing in high demand areas
such as STEM-H (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and
Healthcare), ESL (English as a Second Language), and/or Special
Education.
Call Me MISTER (Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role
Models) is a renowned program established at Clemson University of
South Carolina to solicit men (and women) with a strong interest in
educating and empowering students of at-risk communities. MISTER
participants also receive scholarships, tuition assistance, and mentoring.
MISTER’s vision statement is a powerful clarion call for all men (and
women) to strengthen the education profession. I am a dedicated
Servant Leader who is perpetuating a sorely needed concept - Servant-
“If you care about promoting opportunity and reducing
inequality, the classroom is a great place to start.”— Arne Duncan
Dr. Martin engaged with third grade students at a Boston public
school.
America is looking for a few
good men to serve the most
audacious, often abject, and
auspicious people on the planet,
our children. Are you up for the
challenge?
According to the National Center
for Education Statistics, 35% of
public school students are African
American and/or Hispanic.
However, approximately 2%
percent of the teachers are male
African Americans and fewer are
Hispanic male teachers.
Our students need dedicated,
innovative, and nurturing male
instructors who are willing to
inspire children of all ethnicities,
disparities, and realities.
Educating students with different
family foundations and
backgrounds require instructors
who are sensitive and imaginative
in constructing opportunities for
education.
In response to the shortage of
males in the classroom, Secretary
of Education, Arne Duncan
launched a national campaign
called TEACH to recruit men to
join the teaching ranks. Those who
have a desire to give back to the
community are encouraged to take
immediate action.
“
www.teachersofcolor.com 39
F E A T U R E A R T I C L E
Empowering educators to succeed
Serving over 8,000 students in and around Birmingham, MI.
Strong parent participation and business partnerships oIIer our
educators an advantage as they guide each child to reach new heights.
For employment opportunites and inIormation about our district visit
www.birmingham.k12.mi.us.
Leaders as role models in
elementary schools. I am
devoted to planting seeds of
dignity and respect in children
and inspiring them to cultivate
those seeds producing a crop of
unprecedented success. I will
teach reading, writing and
arithmetic and progress to self-
esteem, imagination and
determination. Because of my
immeasurable promise, not only
have I earned your respect, I
demand it! A title is only
important if one’s character and
integrity dictate its use. When
you address me, please verbalize
my destiny... please do not call
me by my first name... call me in
reference to my great vision...
call me MISTER!
For all the MISTERS of our great
nation, this is the time! Join the
movement. Teach. Transform
lives. Change the world. TOC
Craig Martin, M.Ed.
Dr. Craig Martin is an award-winning urban elementary educator with a passion for
educating, empowering, and elevating brown boys to excellence.  Dr. Martin, founder of
the Brown Boys Network, presents workshops and talks internationally on boys’
education, bullying, mentoring, and family engagement. 
Will the U.S. Department of Education recruit 80,000 African-
American and Hispanic male teachers by 2015?
Federal grants, special incentives
and scholarship opportunities are
available, and many are
specifically targeted to Black and
Hispanic men.   Some of the
special incentives being offered
to encourage Black and Hispanic
men to enter the teaching field,
include free room and board,
loan forgiveness, and sign-on
bonuses.   “With more than 1
million teachers expected to
retire in the coming years, we
have a historic opportunity to
transform public education in
America by calling on a new
generation to join those already
in the classroom,” said Arne
Duncan, the U.S. Secretary of
Education. “Education is the
great equalizer in America and
the civil rights issue of our
generation.
“