Podcasts Although more teachers than ever are turning away from the profession, the non-profit organization Man Up Teacher Fellowship is encouraging men of color to fill these vacant roles, especially in high-poverty communities. This week on Teaching Channel Talks, our host Wendy Amato is sitting down with Dr. Patrick Washington, founder and CEO of Man Up, to talk about the importance of diversity in the classroom, the critical impact it has on the students of today, and how we can use our own voice to support change in the classroom.
Our Guest
Dr. Patrick Washington is a fifth-generation educator, inspired by his great-great-grandfather Richard Adkins, who was born into slavery in 1860. Richard became literate and taught other slaves to read. This family history lives through Dr. Washington, his mother, and several family members who pursued a career in public education. Dr. Washington became the first African-American Superintendent of Benton County Mississippi schools in 2008, and is the founding principal of Promise Academy Springhill located in Memphis, TN. The urgency to launch Man Up Teacher Fellowship was realized as he began to recruit teachers for Promise Academy Spring Hill. “This is a movement, not a program that is aimed to change the world by placing highly effective men of color in classrooms throughout our nation.” Dr. Washington is a graduate of Mississippi State University, Union University, and Ole Miss.
Our Host
Wendy Amato earned her Master’s in Education and Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Virginia. She holds an MBA from James Madison University. Wendy began teaching in 1991, has served as a Middle School Administrator, and still teaches at UVA’s School of Education. She has delivered teacher professional development workshops and student leadership workshops in the US and internationally. Wendy and her family live near Charlottesville, Virginia.
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References
- Dr. Washington references an article from EdWeek:
Teachers of Color Are Linked to Social-Emotional, Academic Gains for All Students — Madeline Will
Professional Learning
- 3-credit continuing education course:
Creating an Anti-Racist Classroom
- 3-credit continuing education course:
An Educator’s Guide to Global Thinking and Cultural Competence
