Larry Irvin: A program to empower Black teachers in the US | TED

TL;DR

This content discusses the need for more Black male teachers, the impact they can have on students, and the recruitment efforts of Brothers Empowered to Teach.

Transcript

Transcriber: I had a chance to teach a summer program a few years back in my hometown of New Orleans. I had a group of 32 young men, age ranging from nine to 14, all Black boys. I wanted to set a tone the first day of class. I want to compare and contrast the mindsets of the contemporary young folk in contrast to my constituents and how we grew up... Read More

Key Insights

• 🏀 The limited scope of possibilities for young Black boys is still dominated by sports, streets, and entertainment, indicating a lack of diverse career aspirations.
• 🏫 Less than three percent of all teachers in the United States are Black men, highlighting a significant underrepresentation in the education system.
• ✨ The presence of just one Black male teacher in elementary school significantly reduces the dropout rate for low-income Black boys, emphasizing the importance of representation and affirmation.
• 🎓 Brothers Empowered to Teach recruits and supports Black male teachers through a three-year undergraduate fellowship, focusing on gradual development and classroom placement.
• 💼 Personal and professional development programs, such as the Cipher series, allow Black male teachers to recalibrate their compasses and address important topics like masculinity, résumés, networking, and relationships.
• 💡 Attachment and a holistic approach to education are prioritized, aiming to develop good people who manifest into great educators, valuing dispositions over degrees.
• 💪 Alex Halstead's transformation from a directionless college student to a transformative figure for Black kids highlights the power of representation and reflection in the classroom.
• 🔮 The long-term goal is to diversify the conversation of future career aspirations for young Black boys, adding names like Mr. Halstead and Mr. Irving alongside famous athletes.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the narrator's initial reaction to the responses of the young boys when asked about their aspirations?

The narrator was flabbergasted that out of the 32 young boys, 29 of them said they wanted to be like Kevin Durant, while only three mentioned LeBron James. The narrator personally believed LeBron James was the better basketball player, but was surprised that the mindset of the young boys still revolved around limited possibilities in sports and entertainment.

Q: How does the narrator believe the narrative needs to change?

The narrator believes that the scope of possibility for Black boys needs to expand beyond sports, streets, and entertainment. The limited view of success needs to be challenged in order to open up new opportunities and aspirations for Black boys.

Q: How did the narrator's mother influence his perspective and aspirations?

The narrator's mother, who was an educator, laid a positive foundation for him and his sister. She made him a dreamer and opened up his scope of possibilities. This upbringing and support allowed the narrator to become the CEO of an organization that recruits Black male teachers.

Q: What is the current representation of Black male teachers in the United States?

Currently, less than three percent of all teachers in the United States are Black men. This lack of representation is particularly evident in front of the classroom, where Black men are more commonly found in disciplinary or athletic roles.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker taught a summer program in New Orleans and noticed that the aspirations of young Black boys were limited to sports, entertainment, and the streets.

• The speaker's mother instilled a positive attitude towards education and made him a dreamer, which led him to become the CEO of an organization that recruits Black male teachers.

• The organization, Brothers Empowered to Teach, offers a three-year undergraduate fellowship to college-aged Black men, focusing on attachment, observation, and professional development to create a connection to education for underrepresented groups.