WHEN BLACKFACE IS WORN IN SCHOOLS
I know a few Black male teachers, however I know more Black male principals and vice principals. It’s not that more Black educators choose to be administrators over teachers per se. Rather it’s because Black male teachers are often streamlined from the classroom to the principal’s office. That’s because district officials often recognize the positive impact Black male teachers have on students in the classroom and hope their impact can translate on an administrative level.
I know from personal experience.
I was approached by my district’s leader with an opportunity to serve in vice principal-like role during end of my 3rd year in the classroom. In just my second year in the classroom, I won teacher of the year. During my 3rd year teaching, my work with the English department contributed to higher than average test scores for our junior class. In addition to all of that, I had the respect of my students and my non-hater colleagues.
I was on the radar of district leadership. So it was no surprise that at the end of my 3rd year teaching, I was approached by my district’s leader with an opportunity to serve in vice principal-like role starting the next year. I took the position.
The next year, I was excited about the opportunity to work with teachers on CONTINUE READING: When Blackface is Worn in Schools - Philly's 7th Ward