Perceptions of Black Male Teachers in Boundary-Heightening Environments: Challenging the Black Boy Savior Stereotype

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Three
  In Roundtable Session: Black and Male: Intersectionality in Teaching and Learning (Table 14)

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of a secondary analysis of data collected through two studies of Black Male Teachers (BMTs) experiences in educational spaces that cause boundary heightening. Black men described being narrowed into roles that bypassed their intellectual assets and positioned them as indirect and direct disciplinarians. The inequitable school environments that cause this alternative management of social boundaries by BMTs, significantly impacted their perception of their schools and those who support students in them. This paper amplifies the voice of BMTs in order to establish authentic and strategic systems to counteract the implicit and explicit practices that stereotype BMTs into Black boy saviors.

Authors

• William N. Thomas, American University
  Presenting Author

• Erica B. Edwards, Wayne State University
  Presenting Author