Black Grade School Teachers: The Frontline of the Future
This is the second section within the topic on the Role of Education. This discussion will focus on the trials, tribulations, and admiration of the Black grade school teachers and how their presence and job impacts the Black Community.
The 3 Questions
1. Is it pivotal to have Black school teachers in the educational system for Black students?
2. Are you more or less comfortable with the idea of you or your child having a Black school teacher, or does it not matter?
3. What can the Black Community do to help Black school teachers?
FRONT STREET
Depending on where you grew/are growing up at, the chances of you having no Black grade school teacher can be high. Many of the people I know and myself included can count how many Black teachers we had prior to going to higher institutes of learning on one hand. Although, most of us did not “suffer” from not having Black school teacher in grade school, there was a void noticed whenever you were fortunate enough to have one. With the undeniable fact that teaching is one of the most important professions in the world, we felt obligated to ask the question of whether Black school teachers can save the destruction of Our Community?
Please write in and response to our 3 poll questions or post some questions that you would like to see asked. These question and more were addressed on 7/27/2020.
1) Yes, I feel that it is extraordinarily important to have Black teachers in the grade school ranks. As a Black male substitute teacher, I saw this firsthand when I would interact with the Black students. They felt comfortable to be themselves when I was around them and or teaching them. This seemed a far cry from what they were used to and a welcomed one. I know that majority if not all of my teachers prior to college were white males and females, and although it didn’t prohibit me from succeeding, I would be lying if I didn’t say that it felt like I was “playing the other team as well as the refs.”
2) I genuinely believe having a Black people in any profession matters for what it means to Black youth, teachers especially. I feel we need more Black school teachers at all levels and in all areas. I believe this is the front line to changing the minds and the hearts of not only Black kids but all kids on the preconceived notions of what it means to be Black to them and in some cases their caretakers.
3) The biggest thing the Black Community can do to help Black school teachers is to give their time. Give time to volunteer, to help with homework, to go visit their schools and teachers. TIME is what our Black School Teachers need.
1. It is very important for black children to have black teachers because people, in general, relate and are more comfortable with people/authority figures who look like them. As a youth football coach, the rapport I automatically had with the black players was evident from day one. When they didn’t feel comfortable talking to a white coach about a problem they were having, they would come to me and often, their parents would tell them to come talk to me.
2. I prefer that my child have a black teacher at some point in their life. There are certain nuances of everyday life, that only another black person will understand. I never had a black teacher growing up, but I lived with one. My mom and dad did a lot of teaching at home, so that me and my sister would know OUR history. Those lessons were some of my favorites and I wish I could have had that everyday for just one calendar year at school.
3. Teachers have the hardest jobs in America. Not only are they responsible for educating children, but they are expected to do it without proper funding and often times without proper support. We need to more involved in our children’s schooling. We need to volunteer, we need to talk with the teachers to make sure we are re-enforcing what they are working on in class and so we can discuss with our children what they learned each day. When I was coaching I didn’t have children, but I would always ask the kids about school. What did they learn today? How are their grades? Do they need extra help in a particular subject? I would tell them, I do not care if you can play football, I care about you getting a good education first, then being a good and positive contributing member to society, and lastly whether or not you can play ball. Education is too important not to be taken seriously.
1. Is it pivotal to have Black school teachers in the educational system for Black students?
Yes, I believe it is important for black students to see themselves represented by the teaching both male and female teaching staff in schools. The perspective black teachers can bring into the areas of curriculum, teaching craft and style, creativity, cultural representations can have huge an impact. There are ways black teachers can relate to students that other teachers can’t. Black teachers are also needed to be advocates for black students. The educational system has it’s biases and is not necessarily set up for us. We need to be on the forefront as administrators, teachers, counselors, and support staff fighting for and teaching our students.
2. Are you more or less comfortable with the idea of you or your child having a Black school teacher, or does it not matter?
I am comfortable with my children having black teachers. I have black sons, and I feel more comfortable with their education in the hands of black teacher than a white teacher. I start each school year off in fear, what if they get that one white teacher that’s going to look at them as less than what they are. I do not think I would necessarily have that fear with a black teacher, not saying it can’t happen, but it’s less likely to happen. With the racial tensions as high as they are right now, I would feel beyond comforted knowing my child is with someone that can relate to them.
3. What can the Black Community do to help Black school teachers?
I think the best thing we can do as a community is to support our black teachers. Realize that some maybe the only ones represented in there school community. Help advocate for them, share your ideas of what schools can be doing to help educate our children. Volunteer if your are available, and do your part in helping to educate your child.
1. Is it pivotal to have Black school teachers in the educational system for Black students? Yes, it is pivotal. School teachers are among the first role models aside from the parents our children will come in contact with and spend most of their time with. It’s important for our children to be able to see themselves in the face of the adults who are shaping their minds. My son was in junior high school when he, for the first time, had a black teacher, a black male teacher. The impact was real. My son became an educator because of that experience. He became the change he wanted to see.
2. Are you more or less comfortable with the idea of you or your child having a Black school teacher, or does it not matter? I thought it didn’t matter. But it matters to our children. Even if we don’t think it does.
3. What can the Black Community do to help Black school teachers? Get involved. Parents need to volunteer for school functions, attend Parent, Teacher Association meetings, and attend school board meetings.
MMD
Of the approximately 400 students enrolled at Larchmont in 2017-18, about 22 percent were black and 41 percent white, according to the New Jersey Department of Education. Among the school’s 39 teachers, 87 percent were white and 10 percent — about three teachers — were black.