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Teacher Shortage in America

January 13, 2008

Universities are in the process of designing new teaching programs with the intention of recruiting more Black, male teachers.
by Andrew Craig

craig.jpg The Crisis:
     There is a crisis in American education that shows no sign of abating. With each passing year, the number of teachers, nationwide, in general is ebbing due to population growth, demands for smaller class sizes, looming retirement for baby boomers, low pay, and a general decrease in the number of college students who plan to teach.

    As acute as this teacher shortage is, there is an even more critical shortage of Black, male teachers in most, if not all, school districts around the country. Black males have become a scarcity in the public school system. The worst part, according to Newsweek Magazine, is that there is an expected imminent decrease in the already meager number of Black teachers. While the exact reason for this impending decrease remains unknown, school districts are taking the initiative to adopt new hiring policies and design new strategies that will reduce or minimize the inevitable, damaging ripple effect.

A Second Look:
    When one looks at this issue on a broader spectrum, it is instantly noticeable that there is a pattern or recursion to this problem. School districts, in general, are famished for male teachers, period. Although the female to male teacher ratio is terribly disproportionate and skewed on the females’ side, it is important to have male teachers in the classroom. Students, especially those whose fathers don’t play active roles in their lives, need role models who look like them, and would sometimes serve as a surrogate father.

    “Although the feminization of the teaching profession has been underway since the 1890’s, school administrators say it's becoming a more salient issue as boys fall behind girls in graduation rate and demonstrate more difficulties with reading and writing.” (Newsweek Magazine). Another explanation as to why there are so few male teachers in the country’s public school systems is the rather low and insufficient starting salary for a beginning teacher, which averages at about $30, 000.

The Remedy:
    To help put an end to the increasing shortage of male, specifically Black, male teachers, colleges around the nation are designing new teacher programs that help to reduce the amount of time an individual spends acquiring his/her license. Some historically Black colleges and universities are in the process of designing new teaching programs with the intention of recruiting more Black, male teachers. There are even bills being drafted to aid teachers financially (like forgiving all college loans, as long as they remain a teacher for a minimum of four years) since their starting salary is so low. If there are any young men, especially Black men, who are reading this article and are interested in becoming teachers, be on the lookout for outstanding opportunities.

Listed below are a few of the many programs around the country:

The Denver Urban Connection

The “Call Me MISTER” Program for African American Males

The Partnership
Becoming a Teacher-From Many Paths of Life

City University of New York/New York City Department of Education
The Teaching Opportunity Scholarship

 

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Written by Andrew Craig · Filed Under Editorial, Headlines