February 23rd 2025.
In 2024, the partnership between Huston-Tillotson University and Austin Independent School District through the African American Male Teacher Initiative had faced some challenges due to the ongoing pandemic. However, amidst these difficult times, the program is proud to celebrate the graduation of nine talented seniors. Launched in 2020, the initiative aims to tackle the nationwide shortage of Black male teachers and has gained support from Apple, who has funded the program as part of their Community Education Initiatives partnership with the university.
According to the program's executive summary, Huston-Tillotson University has set its sights on increasing the number of African-American male teachers. Their goal is to certify 25 Black men as classroom teachers by 2025. This initiative is essential as currently, African-American males make up less than 2% of all educators. Although the original plan was to certify 100 Black male teachers, with 25 of them graduating from the program by 2025, the pandemic has slowed down this progress.
In an interview with KVUE in 2024, Jesse Rivers, a professor at the university and the leader of the partnership with Austin ISD, shared how the addition of Black teachers could have a positive impact on the city's Black male students. He explained that Black male teachers are more likely to be culturally responsive and sensitive to the needs of their students, reducing any prejudices or misunderstandings. This sentiment was echoed by Ken Zarifis, the president of Austin ISD's teacher's union, who believes that having a diverse group of teachers enriches the students' educational experience.
In 2024, the program received a significant boost when it was announced that Apple would be funding it. Rivers expressed his belief that if there is an issue affecting the Black community, then it is the responsibility of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to be at the forefront of finding solutions. He emphasized the need for HBCUs to be innovative in their approach and not shy away from partnering with private industries for the greater good. Dr. Jennifer Miles, who was then the Director of the Center for Academic Innovation & Transformation and Interim Director of the Center for Academic Excellence, also highlighted the program's importance in the university's commitment to racial justice.
This year, KXAN reported that the program currently has 16 students enrolled and is actively looking for more students to join. To be considered for the program, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and commit to 30 hours of community service every semester. One of the students in this year's cohort, Kai Turntine, shared his motivation for wanting to become a school superintendent. He hopes to inspire young Black children by showing them that there are more paths to success than just sports or the streets. He believes that it is crucial to encourage and guide them towards a brighter future.
In a broader context, the program's efforts align with a non-profit's mission to recruit Black male educators and promote their presence and leadership in the school system. The African American Male Teacher Initiative not only supports these future Black male teachers' holistic development but also provides them with ongoing professional development and hands-on digital training with state-of-the-art devices. With this partnership between Huston-Tillotson University and Apple, the program is dedicated to the students' success and is proud to offer this opportunity to its students.
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