Careers in education

Black Collegian, Oct 1996 by Allman, Christian

The demand for teachers is expected to increase significantly over the next few years, so you must plan now if you seek a career in elementary and secondary education. Minority college students should enjoy expanded opportunities due to the rise in public school enrollment, which next year is expected to swell to the largest levels in 25 years.

College students currently studying for the teaching profession have an unprecedented opportunity to help shape the future of America. In 1991, only eight percent of the nation's 2.4 million public school teachers were African-Americans. With public school enrollment projected to increase to its highest level since the 1971 peak of the baby boomer generation, the demand for qualified teachers will be higher than ever.

But because the non-white population of the United States is growing at a faster rate than the white population, many public school administrators concede there will be a corresponding increase in the need for teachers with a multi-cultural perspective. This focus on the importance of diversifying the teaching profession has also helped draw attention to teaching as a means of providing worthwhile role models to minority children.

Indeed, many education majors say that the opportunity to give something back to their community is one of the key reasons they are pursuing teaching careers. Adds Mary J. Carter, an elementary school principal in Fairfax, Virginia, "Those of us in the Black community need to look at our past and be reminded of the incredible sacrifices that our people have made in the struggle to advance the quality of life and range of opportunities for Black people. We should also take a critical look at the disproportionate number of African-American students who experience chronic failure in school.

"In my experience, I realize that it was my coming face-to-face with the pressing problems that undermine the success of public schools that forced me to consider teaching seriously." In other words, Carter and others say, dedicated people who pursue careers in education genuinely help to encourage and develop a climate in which underprivileged and minority children will be exposed to positive, productive role models. Says Bo Dailey, a graduate of the University of Illinois in aeronautical engineering, and now a mathematics teacher for the Teach for America project, which is a member of the AmeriCorps National Service Network. "Beyond affecting the lives and skills of my students on a purely academic level through strong and dedicated teaching, as an AfricanAmerican male in rural North Carolina, I am able to be a unique and stable role model for all my students."

It's a teacher's market for the right majors

But although elementary and secondary school enrollments are estimated to increase by eight and 10 percent, respectively, by the year 2000, some subject areas are more equal than others. The most competitive education graduates in the expanding market for teachers will be those who are certified to teach mathematics, special education (especially multi-handicap instructors), science, and bilingual education. Teaching English as a second language is also expected to be in demand.

Keep in mind that opportunities are not evenly distributed throughout the country. In many cases, in subject areas like math and science, a shortage of teachers is no longer the rule. However, rural communities, by and large, have experienced pronounced shortages because relatively few graduates are willing to teach in remote locations. Salaries, of course, tend to be higher in major metropolitan school districts.

All in all, prospects are generally bright for African-American education majors, according to Dr. Nathaniel Jackson, senior program officer at the Southern Education Foundation. "Minorities who pass teacher certification are in high demand," adding that minority students fall into the critical-need category and are being heavily recruited throughout the country. He adds that African-American males, in particular, are the most ardently sought.

African-American Men in High Demand

The fact that African-American males are in such high demand can have a lasting positive effect says Dwight Brannon, an interviewer/ recruiter for the Alief Independent School District in Texas. "African American men who participate in the education process have an enormous impact on the lives of African-American boys...It's essential that AfricanAmerican male students be exposed to African-American men as role models and mentors. The message I want to get out is: `You may not be an educator, but you can educate.' "

To attract more African-American education graduates, some school districts offer incentives and perks such as free utilities and house payments.

Another factor that is important in being competitive in the job market, many agree, is the willingness to relocate.

Dr. Mary Dilworth, senior research director at the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, says, "I can't think of any community that wouldn't need African-Americans...but many teachers want to go to schools in the communities where they grew up and aren't willing to travel." Washington State, where salaries average almost $36,000, is energetically looking for African American teachers and has been disappointed by its recruiting results.