WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. _ Winston-Salem State University is preparing to establish the next generation of black male teachers.
Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) will collaborate with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and Wells Fargo to host a unique program designed to increase, influence and prepare the next generation of Black male educators nationwide, July 27 to August 2 at the Anderson Conference Center on the WSSU Campus.
The HBCU Male Summer Institute is part of TMCF’s Teacher Quality and Retention Program (TQRP). Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominately Black Institutions (PBIs) graduate more minority teachers than any other source. The summer institute is designed to help these student teachers enhance the learning experience in their classrooms.
The 30 all-male pre-service teaching students will attend lectures and workshops that emphasize innovations in teaching, as well as other topics such as lesson plan design, professional development, educators as entrepreneurs, school-age violence, and after-school programming. They will also receive preparation for their respective national teacher examination learn more about education policy.
“This program is important for several reasons. First, less that two percent of K through 12 teachers are black males, but the number black students far exceeds that statistic,” said Dr. Dawn Tafari, WSSU Department of Education clinical faculty member. “Also black males represent a disproportionate number of high school drop outs, children likely to end up in special education, and those who are suspended. This may be due to outdated teaching methods and the lack of role models who look like them. Research shows increasing the number of black male teachers can make a major difference.”
The intensive HBCU Male Summer Institute can provide a platform for addressing these issues by training, rewarding and retaining well-qualified minority teachers.
“TQRP’s aim is to enhance how teachers from TMCF’s 47-member network of publicly supported HBCUs/PBIs approach the day-to-day challenges in the classroom while progressing professionally,” said Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., President & CEO of TMCF. “We believe the Institute can also improve the public education system nationwide.”
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Online: www.wssu.edu/about/news/2014/20140724-black-men-teach.aspx
