News

Dallas math teacher more than just a teacher: 'He's kind of like a father figure to me'

by Demond Fernandez - WFAA

It's National Teacher Appreciation Week, and many people are honoring those educators who have made a positive, significant, impact in their lives.

Students and staff at Clara Oliver Elementary School in Dallas are giving a special salute to math teacher Joseph Francis.

“He’s so intelligent,” said fourth grader Shanterria Woods.

Mr. Francis has become very popular with his students. They call Francis a man with a knack for making math fun.

"He explains things to me how I understand them,” said fourth-grader Tory Robertson.

Making a difference keeping and recruiting men teachers in Canada

by Ron Blatz - Executive Director - Discovery Centre

Just wanted to share a quick story that impacted me at our recent MECE (“Knights at the Kids Table”) conference in Canada. During one of the breaks during the conference a gentleman came up to me and shared this story. I have to admit that I didn’t recognize him as our paths have not crossed in decades but I was so encouraged by his story. I wanted to share it with you folk to remind you that each and every time you speak up or show up at an ECE event or conference the same kind of thing could be happening without you knowing it.

Two cofounders of The Fellowship: Black Male Educators for Social Justice just scored national recognition

by Cianni Williams - Generocity

It’s an oft-shared statistic in the education world: Only 2 percent of America’s teachers are Black men.

And, according to Philly.com, 54 percent of students in the Philadelphia School District are Black, yet only 5 percent of their teachers are Black men.

Scholarship Program To Recruit Male Teachers Of Color Launches in San Antonio, Texas

By Camille Phillips - Texas Public Radio

Three out of four teachers in the San Antonio area are women, and just four percent are black, according to state data.

My Brother’s Keeper San Antonio is accepting applications through Aug. 7, with the aim of placing 30 men in internships at area schools this school year while they obtain alternative teacher certification through Education Service Center Region 20. They need to have their bachelor’s degree to qualify.

New program in Illionis to create a pipeline of black and Latino male teachers

By Manny Ramos - Chicago Sun-Times

Jawaun Williams always felt a void growing up on the South Side, going to schools with a predominantly black student population.

When he graduated from high school, he was one of the top 15 students in his class and in the honors society.

Still, something was missing.