Black male educators seek to offer support, inspiration in Philly

WHEN SHARIF El-Mekki was looking for ways to get involved with at-risk black youths about 20 years ago, he looked at obvious career choices such as social work and counseling.

Not once did teaching cross his mind until a friend's mother suggested it. He initially balked at the idea.

"Both my parents were Black Panthers, my mom was a retired teacher. Being in that proximity it never dawned on me to use the classroom as a vehicle to freedom-fighting," said the principal at Mastery Charter's Shoemaker campus in West Philadelphia.

"I just didn't look at it that way."

The ability to engage students and help shape their thinking resonated with El-Mekki, an educator for 22 years, a journey that began at the former Turner Middle School. He has now taken on the role of trying to change the lens of other young black men regarding the profession.

"We encourage young men to become doctors and lawyers. We don't necessarily say, 'Guess what's a way you can impact [social justice],' " said El-Mekki, 44.

Research shows black males only represent about 2 percent of public-school teachers in the U.S., despite accounting for about 6 percent of the total population. Experts say the lack of diversity not only hurts students of color, but also their white counterparts.

El-Mekki recently pulled together a group of local teachers and administrators and established the Fellowship to support one another and recruit more. Their inaugural summit last month drew about 130 people, including Philadelphia Superintendent William Hite and several local politicians.

They will host their first professional development session tomorrow at the district's headquarters to address complex issues such as how to maintain a strong black identity while working in a predominantly white environment.

"At the end of the day . . . we want the best educators and we want more of them to be black male amazing educators. We don't want black men just to have black men," said El-Mekki, who was selected as a Principal Ambassador Fellow in 2013 by the U.S. Department of Education.

Studies say there are several reasons for the lack of men of color in classrooms. Relatively low pay. Poor recruitment. The fact that young black males see so few teachers of their race.

"I was discouraged from going into teaching," said William Hayes, principal at Mastery Charter East Camden, which opened in the fall. Despite several teachers in his family, the 30-year-old Hayes, a native of Hartsville, S.C., did not take an interest in teaching until it was suggested by a professor in his master's program.

"I think people viewed it as a waste of good talent."

He added that black males who have other roles in education - instructional support, case workers, afterschool programs - need mentors who can identify their potential as teachers.

One of the recommendations from a 2010 report on the dropout crisis among black and Latino males in Philadelphia was a more diverse teaching force and the use of demographic-specific professional development that included a mentoring and coaching component. But El-Mekki and Hayes claim recruitment and retention efforts are lagging, part of the reason for their group.

James Brooks, 30, a teacher at KIPP Philadelphia Elementary Academy, said the group has helped him form new relationships and increased his support system.

"You are rejuvenated because this field can be draining," he said. "It's really inspiring to hear people around you who are your peers, your elders."

On Twitter: @ChroniclesofSol