Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow
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Reflections on the importance of role models - an African-American teacher defends use of Black role models
Thirty years ago I graduated from high school. I can still remember how excited I was getting ready to start college. I was salutatorian, of my high school graduating class. Tenths of a point separated me from the valedictorian and the student who was third. All three of us were interested in mathematics and science. We had not been told that as Blacks we weren't supposed to do well in these areas.
Despite the dismantling of discrimination practices, being a Black female seems harder to me in today's world. Perhaps it is because I took so much for granted during my public school years. Sure, I was younger, but I was also excelling in school. Most of my friends were excelling as well. Even though we competed against one another, it was never negative. Of course, all of my friends and teachers were Black. Could that have had any bearing on my feelings then and my feelings now being one of only very few Blacks and even fewer Black females in higher education?
During my public school years and in college I was surrounded by strong Black role models. These individuals were not just adults, but also my peers. They challenged me in a manner that made me extend myself to greater heights and never doubt my abilities. My career goal was to become a research mathematician. Upon graduation from college, I was ready to pursue my career. But where? It was then that the hard, cold fact hit me. Who would hire a Black female research mathematician in the south in 1969?
The 1970s
After trying unsuccessfully to obtain a job in my career choice, I discovered there was a short supply of mathematics and science teachers. I applied for a mathematics teaching job and in 1970 1 began my teaching career. I really liked teaching. I had a very strong background in mathematics, having an undergraduate degree in mathematics and physics, and I had good interpersonal skills.
But in the public school system I wasn't qualified. I did not have a teaching degree. I enrolled in a master's degree program, obtained the required certification and subsequently a master's degree with an emphasis in secondary education.
Teaching and enrolling in a predominantly white university to obtain my master's degree were my first encounters, with white America. Sure, at Xavier University in New Orleans I had had a few white teachers -- and even mi few white students -- but Blacks were in the majority.
Desegregation on was being pushed in the '70s and many Black teachers were transferred to white schools. At my first teaching assignment I had only one Black student in all of my high school mathematics classes. Ironically, in many of my master's courses at that time, I was also the only Black student.
Many white parents and even white teachers challenged Black teachers. For some reason, unknown to me, it seemed as Blacks we were not considered as intelligent as our white counterparts.