Editorials
Do White People Get It? Racism Through the Eyes of a Black Male Teacher
The video of George Floyd taking his last breath was difficult for me to process. I experienced anger, sadness, fear, frustration, disgust, outrage, and betrayal. I can’t express what I felt when Floyd begged the officer to remove his knee from his neck and called out to his deceased mother. Watching him being restrained in […]
Read MoreEditorial: A Male Teaching in a Pandemic
I teach because of the relationships formed with my students. I enjoy the curriculum and the data part of the job, but the relationships formed with the students is why I do it. I like kids. Distance learning has changed my daily routine and that’s frustrating. But overall, day by day we’ll get through this […]
Read MoreLetter: More men needed in early childhood education in Canada
I am a second-year student in the early childhood education program at Lambton College and want to address the lack of men in the field. I believe more men want to get in this field but feel the stigma is pushing them away. They should be welcomed and wanted in caregiving positions. According to the […]
Read MoreWhy Men of Color Like Me Are Leaving the Classroom
I had never taught Tatiana before. Yet, after a Latinx student meeting in Oakland, the 12th grader unexpectedly embraced me, sobbing: “You’re the first Mexican teacher I’ve seen at this school; I just wanted to say thank you.” Translation: I’ve never seen someone like you in a position of academic importance. I understood Tatiana. In […]
Read MoreWhen Race is the Primary Job Qualification for Teachers
A few years ago, I met with two program directors. One worked for a well-respected education nonprofit, the other for a local public-school district. They had each recently released employees for poor job performance. Both of the released employees were people of color. When I asked the directors what they had covered in the job […]
Read MoreI’m a Black Teacher Who Works for a Black Principal. It’s Been a Game Changer
I’m a black male elementary teacher, and I’ve just finished my first year working for a black principal. It’s been incredible. I’m fortunate to have worked with school leaders of all races and genders. But perhaps because of his life experiences, my current principal has a certain mix of rare qualities that have created a […]
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