Black Male Educators in American Classrooms

Recruitment, Retention and K-12 Impact

Sandra G. Sessoms-Penny, Joy W. Taylor

• Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited
• Year: 2025
• Print ISBN: 9781835499313
• eBook ISBN: 9781835499320
• Topic: Education
• Subtopic: Education Theory & Practice

Recruiting more teachers of color, especially Black men, is a challenge. Recruitment alone is not sufficient to increase the presence of Black males in American classrooms, which is currently less than two percent. Black Male Educators in American Classrooms explores the unique challenges and valuable perspectives Black males bring to the school setting and explores how to better understand, incentivize, and effectively utilize Black males in America's classrooms and the widespread impact this can have in K-12 education, in the community, and throughout society. 

Documenting the results of a multi-year study carried out by the Editors, chapters delve into the mental, emotional, and intellectual development of Black male educators and those they connect with throughout the school community, why they leave or remain in K-12 education, and what they see as the role of school leaders in helping them achieve their purpose as contributing, respected, and valued educational leaders.

The personal narratives of Black male educators include their recommendations to improve strategies to support them in classrooms and throughout society. Readers will experience first-hand how being a black male educator impacted their lives, their students and their communities. Not only are stereotypes dissolved through the research and personal narratives of Black male educators, but the proposed initiatives also suggest and offer strategies for continuing growth of Black male educators within the classroom, as academic leaders, role models, and other levels of engagement.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• About the Editors
• About the Contributors
• Chapter 1 Black Male Educators Speak: Shaping Minds and Breaking Barriers
• Chapter 2 The Mental and Emotional Struggles of Black Male Educators
• Chapter 3 Curating the Black Male Aesthetic: The Perceptions, Preparation, and Persistence of Black Male Educators
• Chapter 4 From Marginalized to Magnified: Empowering Black Male Educators, Transforming Education
• Chapter 5 Navigating the B-ME Blues
• Chapter 6 Lessons Beyond the Lesson Plan: Kareem Neal’s Story
• Chapter 7 Navigating the Landscape: Challenges and Rewards of Black Male Educators in Primary Grades
• Chapter 8 Maximizing the Impact of Black Male Educators: Transforming Schools and Communities
• Chapter 9 Examining Black Male Leadership in Education Through the Gaze of Black Women Educators
• Chapter 10 Nurturing Excellence: The Contribution of Historically Black Colleges and Universities to Black Male Educator Preparation
• Chapter 11 Lessons Beyond the Lesson Plan: Joshua Parker’s Story
• Chapter 12 Shaping Future Generations: The Significance of Black Male Educators in K-12 Classrooms
• Index