An Exploration of a Free-Spirited Preservice Black Male Mathematics Teacher

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

Abstract

Black men are underrepresented in the teaching profession, especially in critical subject areas like mathematics (Davis, Frank & Clark, 2013). Most of the research of Black male mathematics teachers has focused on in-service teachers. There is very little research of pre-service Black male mathematics teachers in teacher education programs. This study utilized scholar identity and African American male theory frameworks (Bush & Bush, 2013) to uncover how a pre-service Black male mathematics teacher was influenced to become a teacher by his mother, pastor and university mathematics professor. The study also shows how a free spirited pre-service Black male mathematics teacher developed his identity as a teacher and helped his students develop healthy mathematics identities. This study has implication for recruiting more Black male mathematics teachers into teacher education programs.

Author

• Avery Thomas, Bowie State University