Abbott Elementary and a push for representation of black educators

Every year, we share our 10 most read stories. Not surprisingly, many of this year's top 10 focused on equity, educational technology innovation, immersive learning, and the science of reading. This year's eighth most read story focuses on the need for more Black educators, especially Black male educators.

Representation matters, and when students have educators who look like them, it does wonders for their learning experience. In ISTELive 23At the opening keynote event, featured speakers sat down to discuss the challenges around representation and getting more Black educators, particularly Black male educators, into classrooms.

ISTE Certification Director Carmalita Seitz sat down with Joyce Abbott, the inspiration behind Abbott Elementary's name and recently retired educator; Tyler James Williams, winner of the 2023 Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor as Professor Gregory Eddie in Abbott Elementary; and Sharif El-Mekki, executive director of the Center for the Development of Black Educators, to discuss how important representation is for students and teachers.

“Immediately after finishing Season 1, we felt an overwhelming respect for what educators do and felt the need to stand up for educators,” Williams said. This advocacy is especially critical for Black teachers and Black male teachers in particular, she added. If Abbot Elementary can represent Black educators and give them a laugh that relieves stress and uplifts them when they return to their classrooms the next day, that's a win.

“We need black teachers. In the 19th century, in this city, Caroline LeCount said we needed more black educators for black children,” El-Mekki said. “About 1.3 percent of our teachers are black men in this country. Invite them to the profession. Continue to invite them into the profession. Many young black people say they were never invited to practice the profession. When you see them doing great things, like great leadership, tell them, “That's what the best teachers do,” and help them connect the dots. Help them shape the narrative of what drug teaching is like.”

El-Mekki added, “Black pedagogical frameworks, a Black historical perspective, and Black teaching traditions are vitally important, and if more people understood that, we would be in a much better place.”

“It takes people like you to look at this critically and say, 'OK, this is what needs to be implemented, this is what is not being taught, this is how it CAN BE taught.' We see how the lack of education in our world today has led to an increase in misinformation. That education must begin when they are children,” Williams told the audience.

Understanding the population they serve is critical for non-black teachers to help with diversity in the classroom, Abbott said.

“You have to be in the company of educators of color just to learn some things,” he said. “The black educator, that is VERY important. Many times, in our schools, you see black women in charge: they are the strong ones in the school. Here's what students see at home: In our communities, many of our students come from single-parent homes with a mother or grandmother. They don't see a lot of positive black male role models, so when they see that at school, I think it's very important. If you don't understand the population you serve, it will be difficult to make an impact and be successful. “You have to understand what (students) go through outside the walls (of their classrooms).”

Suggesting education as a career path early on is particularly important, El-Mekki said, noting that while white women often hear people tell them they would make great teachers as early as third grade, black men typically don't. They hear the same stimulus. until after college.

“Be sure to apply intellectual rigor to understand students' culture and history and help them connect the dots between what you're teaching and real-world relevance,” he said. “Imagine if they knew you saw them and were inspired to be your colleagues one day. “This is how you begin to rebuild the profession and elevate it.”

Related:
At ISTELive 23, balancing humanity with ai
Five Ways the Homework Gap is Worse for Students of Color
For more equity news, visit eSN's Educational Leadership page

Laura Ascione is the editorial director of eSchool Media. She graduated from the prestigious Philip Merrill School of Journalism at the University of Maryland.

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