Should Black Male Teachers Be Paid for Mentoring Black Boys?

After years of research, in 2014 the Atlanta Daily World posted an article that featured the work and research of Black male professors on the influence and impact Black male teachers have on Black students, especially Black boys.

Black male teachers do positively impact Black students! 

But we know this already. So now the question is, why hasn't the 2% of Black male teachers in public schools increased?

The next question is, if Black parents had poor experiences in America's public school system, then why aren't we doing more to end this cycle for Black children?

It's important to remember that knowledge is power, not all Black children are suffering in public schools although the majority of them are and that not all Black parents are disengaged in their child(rens) educational journey in public schools. 

However, the lack of advocacy for improved policies, robust after school programs and the need for more Black male teachers in public schools isn't on the Black agenda and should be!

Black Boys Aren't Really Our Priority! 

They aren't our priority because they are our prize horse in America. That's right, we beat down Black boys, label them, poorly educate them, show case them, steal their childhood, place them in caged cells and have them produce goods in prison for pennies and take away all their rights. 

We see the school to prison pipeline has the funnel towards the criminal injustice system, many Black boys enter at young ages for offenses our counterparts would get warnings or probation. It starts in schools. 

The main idea remains that Black boys aren't our priority in schools. When it comes to Black boys, most public schools want to to shut them up, write them up and ship them out! '

Should Black Male Teachers Be Paid for Mentoring Black Boys?

We have research and 2% of Black male educators improving the success rates of Black children, increasing the numbers of Black boys successfully transitioning from middle to high school impacting graduation rates and we're mentoring Black boys along the way. 

My solution to bridging the gap between the number of Black boys needing mentors is to pay teachers, who qualify to mentor, to simply do that for the Black boys at their schools. 

Let's be clear, it's not about the money! It's about improving educational outcomes for Black boys in public schools. Leadership opportunities and salary are huge reasons and road blocks that cause Black males to leave education. We have to think out of the box. 

I believe traditional and non traditional public schools should give this a try. Partnering with organizations such as Profound Gentlemen can help school districts interview and vet teachers. The organization is also a resource for helping train, recruit and retain Black male teachers. We also should partner with organizations such as Fathers Incorporated to help get more Black fathers engaged with literacy and mentoring.

Providing stipends for qualified Black male educators to mentor Black boys is a great idea and solution to helping increase the achievement of Black boys in public schools. It is also could help recruit and retain Black male teachers.

It's the a fix all to many problems Black boys face in public schools, but it certainly is a thought to consider and great start!