Ron Whitaker, associate professor and faculty fellow at Arcadia University and Vanderbilt University, joined Thaddaeus Peay II, an eighth-grade history teacher in the Norristown School District for a presentation on Friday at the BMEC conference at the Loews Hotel in Center City. Dozens of attendees at the Black Men in Education Convening engaged in a discussion led by Ron Whitaker, associate professor and faculty fellow at Arcadia University and Vanderbilt University, and Thaddaeus Peay II, an eighth-grade history teacher in the Norristown School District. The purpose of the session titled “The Paradox of Black Male Educators in Schools and Society” was to provide support for Black educators and how they are seen in the classroom and in public. The two shared how Black men are wanted in the education field but are viewed as threats or face extreme opposition to what they want to do to help better educate their students. “We are here honestly for real conversation,” Whitaker said. “I think it’s important for recruitment, retention, for onboarding, but how do we make these systems more inclusive, safe, and supportive to the very population that you say is important within schools and school districts?” Black men make up 1.3% of Black teachers in the U.S., and discussions like the one by Whitaker and Peay helped attendees understand the statistic. Being passed up for tenure due to a perceived negative image is one of many factors, Whitaker and Peay pointed out, why many Black men do not stay in the teaching field. Low pay and lack of promotions are also factors. This point hit home for some attendees in the room. “There’s a lot that Black men in education go through daily,” said Isaac Sanders, a conference attendee from Detroit and a junior at the University of Pittsburgh. “There are a lot of people who want to take from us. It’s a good thing, but it also can be exhausting.” Sanders was pleased that the session provided links to resources to help Black educators take care of themselves. “I think it’s so important because there aren’t too many of us,” he said. “I’m in K-4th studies, and it’s definitely more white women, and it’s exhausting, coming here is like a breath of fresh air.” Sanders expressed that he felt more energetic after experiencing the session and conference. “I think it’s critically important for people going into education to understand that there will automatically be resistance going into it,” Peay said. “Like our ancestors have shown us, revolution equals resistance, so having that frame of mind gives them the courage to fight.” Peay said Friday’s session should give educators the courage to continue to fight for the change they want to see in their communities and schools. The BMEC gathering is scheduled to end Saturday, featuring City Council members and a closing interview between educators Chris Emdin and Lisa Delpit. “This conference is critically important, number one for the fellowship component, and I also believe it is a form of self-care,” Whitaker said. “Many of our brothers, once they leave here, they gotta go back to hostile environments. I think that the collaboration, the community, the fellowship is so important.” Stay informed and connected — subscribe to The Philadelphia Tribune NOW! Click Here Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don’t Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don’t knowingly lie about anyone or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the ‘Report’ link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We’d love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.
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