Introducing the Blerd (Black Nerd) Male Teacher

• In Event: Developing the Next Generation of Black Male Teacher Researchers Through Undergraduate Research

Abstract

The black nerd, or Blerd, is a lesser known concept on the personality scale of black people, or African Americans. With less than 8% of teachers nationwide identifying as black, and less than 2% as black males, the percentage that identify as male ‘blerds’ may almost be non-existent. There is very little known about black male nerd teachers, in general, and more specifically as role models. Using African American male theory (Bush & Bush, 2013) and Blerd conceptual framework, I use Black male theory to shed light on how one pre-service Black male teacher made sense of Blerd culture in his developing practice to teach and connect with students. This study expands conceptualization of role models to consider Blerd male teachers as potential role models.

Author

• Brandon Wesley McKay-Davis, Prince George's County Public Schools