Maxwell: We need more black male teachers

JULY 13, 2009

Writes St. Petersburg Times columnist Bill Maxwell: “I do not have solid proof, but I believe that the public school experience of my generation of black males in Jim Crow’s South was far superior to most young African-American males in today’s public schools anywhere in the nation. My generation’s experience was better, I am certain, because we had a substantial number of black male teachers as role models.”

Only 2 percent of the nation’s 4.8 million teachers are black men, Maxwell notes. The figure in Florida: about 3 percent. In Pinellas: 1.7 percent.

Ron Matus, state education reporter

Posted by Times Editor at 8:28:52 am on July 13, 2009 in

| Permalink | Comments |

Join the discussion: Click to view comments, add yours

Most Recent Blog Posts

Principals are named at Freedom High, Mann Middle February 14

Charter schools funding measure fails in House committee February 14

Pasco submits its class size plan February 14

Tampa Bay area lawmakers challenge Senate move to cut USF funding, while students petition February 14

Stewart to Pinellas board: No need for a new contract or more pay February 14

Florida school prayer bill fuels culture wars, experts say February 14

Florida education news: USF funding, Florida Virtual School, school construction and more February 14

Pasco School Board chair completes petition for ballot, while one opponent drops out February 13

School prayer bill survives its first Florida House committee February 13

Carol Cook says she's running for re-election February 13

About the blog

Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going in on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.

Meet the team

THE TEAM

Rebecca Catalanello covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail her: rcatalanello@tampabay.com.

Tony Marrero covers Hernando County schools. E-mail him: tmarrero@tampabay.com.

Marlene Sokol covers Hillsborough County schools. E-mail her: sokol@tampabay.com.

Ron Matus covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail him: matus@tampabay.com.

Jeffrey S. Solochek covers Pasco County schools. E-mail him: solochek@tampabay.com.

Kim Wilmath covers the University of South Florida. E-mail her: kwilmath@tampabay.com.

Comment Policy

Please be sure your comments are appropriate before submitting them. Inappropriate comments include content that:

Is libelous

Is abusive, harassing, or threatening

Is obscene, vulgar, or profane

Is racially, ethnically or religiously offensive

Is illegal or encourages criminal acts

Is known to be inaccurate or contains a false attribution

Infringes copyrights, trademarks, publicity or any other rights of others

Impersonates anyone (actual or fictitious)

Solicits funds, goods or services, or advertises

The Tampa Bay Times does not edit posts but reserves the right to delete comments that violate our policy.

Registration FAQ

Read our Frequently Asked Questions on how to register to comment on the site.