African American Males’ Decisions to Teach: Barriers, Motivations, and Supports Necessary for Completing a Teacher Preparation Program

Abstract

The growing diversity of student populations within the public schools of the United States and the lack of diversity present in the current pool of certified teachers are of great interest to colleges and universities seeking to increase the diversity of teacher candidates. Researchers explored the factors that encouraged African American male teachers in a large southeastern public school division to complete an accredited teacher education program leading to state licensure. Completed questionnaires and structured interviews with 11 African American male educators from elementary and secondary classrooms provided data revealing the barriers, motivations, and supports related to the retention of African American males in college and university teacher preparation programs.