Am I an Overseer or a Liberator? Teacher Diversity and the Black Male Educator Experience

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session 23
  In Roundtable Session: Race, Diversity, and Preservice Teacher Education

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore some of the questions that arise as one probes the call to diversify the teacher workforce by recruiting more Black men. Consequently, the following research question was posed: What roles do race and gender play in the pedagogies of Black male special educators?
Using intersectionality as a conceptual framework, this qualitative study included, 12 interviews and one focus group with six Black male secondary special educators who work in New York City public schools. While four themes emerged from analysis, this paper centers on one theme: “Am I an Overseer or am I a Liberator?” Results from this study have implications for research, policy and practice for diversity efforts in education.

Author

• Patrice Elizabeth Fenton, University of Miami