Rep. Lewis, U.S. Sec of Ed and Spike Lee Ask Morehouse Scholars to Consider Teaching

Press Release

TODAY Rep. John Lews joins U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, joined by film director, producer, writer and actor Spike Lee, will host a TEACH town hall meeting at Morehouse College on Monday, Jan. 31, to encourage students to choose teaching careers. The visit is part of a national teacher recruitment campaign launched by the Department earlier this year to recruit more diverse, highly qualified teachers. Nationwide, more than 35 percent of public school students are African American or Hispanic, but less than 15 percent of teachers are Black or Latino. Less than 2 percent of our nation's teachers are African American males.

Following the town hall meeting with Secretary Duncan, MSNBC contributor Jeff Johnson will announce his own five-year national initiative to recruit, train, place and develop 80,000 African American male teachers by 2015. Leaders from around the country will speak to a small group of young men about the need for them to become ambassadors for this movement. The "5 by 2015" task force," led by Johnson, took seriously the call made by Secretary Duncan to recruit new teachers and decided to focus on African American men. The Task Force consists of individuals and organizations that have been dedicated to teacher development and African American male mentorship.
"With more than 1 million teachers expected to retire in the coming years, we have a historic opportunity to transform public education in America by calling on a new generation to join those already in the classroom," Secretary Duncan said. "We are working with the broader education community to strengthen and elevate the entire teaching profession so that every teacher has the support and training they need to succeed. Education is the great equalizer in America and the civil rights issue of our generation. If you care about promoting opportunity and reducing inequality, the classroom is the place to start."

"Studies show that books, curricula, school buildings, and supplies are all important, but in the academic setting the teacher has the greatest influence on young people's lives," Rep. Lewis said. "So many boys and girls grow up today without experiencing the impact of any significant adult male in their lives. This void can lead to tragic consequences in our communities, contributing to gang participation and teen pregnancy. Teaching is a powerful way to make a difference and turn this decline in male support into a rich, rewarding learning environment that can transform a young person's life."

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