Senator Hughes and Sheryl Lee Ralph-Hughes Host “Importance of Men in the Classroom” Community Conversation
As the US faces a national shortage of 400,000 educators, Senator Vincent Hughes and his wife, activist and actress, Sheryl Lee Ralph-Hughes, welcomed community members to the Free Library of Philadelphia for a discussion about the importance of increasing the number of male teachers, especially male teachers of color. The discussion was hosted in partnership with Read to Succeed and the Center for Black Educator Development.
Men now account for just 23% of US elementary and secondary school teachers. Only 2% of America’s teachers are Black men.
Research has shown that having a low number of male teachers in schools directly impacts students, particularly male students. Boys benefit from having a positive role model, especially when they lack one at home.
A study from Johns Hopkins University found that having at least one Black teacher in 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade reduced Black students’ likelihood of dropping out of school.
Over 300 people, most of them Black men, gathered on Sunday afternoon, to listen to the live panel discussion.
The panel featured advocates, educators, and William Stanford Davis, the actor best known for his role as “Mr. Johnson” on Abbott Elementary. Other panelists included Dr. Tony Watlington, Superintendent of the Philadelphia School District; Sharif El-Mekki, Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Black Educator Development; and Brent Johnstone, Co-founder of FathersRead365. The conversation was moderated by Racquel Williams, KYW Newsradio Community Impact Reporter and host of Bridging Philly.
Davis, along with the other panelists, shared perspectives on the urgent need to bring more men into teaching. Together, they discussed how schools, families, and neighborhoods can work collaboratively to recruit, support, and keep men in the classroom.
Watch the Conversation Below
Senator Hughes Delivers Solutions to the Teacher Shortage Crisis
Senator Hughes led the creation of Pennsylvania’s Student Teacher Stipend Support program in 2023. Two years later, thirty million dollars has been allocated to the program to support student teachers during their mandatory, un-paid, student teacher requirement.
The program has made it possible for future Pennsylvania teachers to pay their bills, rent, and student loans while they fulfill their full-time student teacher requirement. The goal is to remove a major financial barrier that could deter individuals who want to become teachers but can’t afford to complete a full-time, student teacher assignment with no pay.
To learn more about the Student Teacher Stipend Support program, visit the PHEAA website.
