11/30/2022 0 Comments Mo money mo problems future![]() ![]() “Me being in front of students, being a black man, and dispelling every stereotype about what we bring to the table, that’s my motivation.”įor 28-year-old Fabian Flores, it’s not unusual to be one of the few men in his classes at California State University, Dominguez Hills College of Education. “They need to see someone in front of them who says, ‘This thing called education is going to work out just fine,’ ” McKellar said of his male students. “You see them as, like, the homie,” Foster added. “It feels like the man expects more out of you,” Banner said. They’ve been taught almost exclusively by women, and they say having a male teacher changes the dynamic. ![]() McKellar’s ninth-grade students Elijah Foster and Tyler Banner say having a man in front of the class is still a new experience. But in McKellar his students have something especially rare: Fewer than 10% of the state’s teachers are men of color and just 1% are black men like him. Three-quarters of California students in traditional public and charter schools are of color, compared to about a third of teachers. “Even one teacher of color in a school is enough for students of color to do better academically,” he said, citing studies that show long-term positive benefits. He has made closing the achievement gap for students of color a central part of his mission, and he says diversifying the teacher workforce is key. For instance, one study found having at least one black teacher from third to fifth grade cut the high school dropout rate in half for black boys.īut the number of teachers of color in California isn’t keeping pace with the diversity of its student body.Ĭhanging that is top of mind for Tony Thurmond, state superintendent of public instruction. When students of color have teachers of color, there’s evidence they learn more, finish high school at higher rates and are more likely to go to college. “I use every trick in my utility belt to get a kid to buy into education.” Role Models in the Classroomįor these students, having a teacher of color like McKellar - who has high expectations, can relate to their experiences and serve as a role model - could make a big difference. He looks pleased with himself as the students pair up and dive into the assignment. But he also says we can’t expect to change the world until we do what? Change who? Change yourself.” “Uh huh, uh huh, baby baby.” The students laugh. ![]() “Wait,” McKellar says, launching into a pretty spot-on impression. It sounds familiar, but these kids weren’t around in the ’90s. “When you win a lot of money, it causes a lot of controversy,” she says. ![]()
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