New City Program Address Black Male Teacher Shortage

Philadelphia Academies Inc. (PAI) and Parkway West High School have teamed up to launch One Soul, a pre-apprenticeship program aimed at cultivating the next generation of Black male educators. Backed by a $400,000 state grant as part of a $3.9 million statewide investment in early childhood education pathways, the initiative seeks to address both the teacher shortage and the lack of representation in the classroom. “We are building a future where aspiring Black educators not only see themselves in the classroom, but are empowered to lead,” said PAI President and CEO F. Christopher Goins.

The inaugural cohort includes eleven students from Parkway West who will receive hands-on instruction in pedagogy, the history of education in the U.S., and current issues in education. Parkway West Principal Will Brown explained the program’s purpose: “We want to be able to look at current issues in education and help them develop a plan to solve those issues.” Students will also explore education career paths with the goal of earning their credentials at little to no cost.

This pilot complements Parkway West’s existing Early Childhood Education Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, which already offers students a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and nine college credits. “Our program and the program with Philadelphia Academies will go hand in hand,” said Brown. “It gives Black boys that additional piece to try to help them decide if a career in education is for them.”

Students in One Soul will gain practical experience through paid internships, including roles at KenCrest Early Childhood Center and as reading tutors through Read Alliance. “The students will also be trained through Read Alliance to be reading tutors,” Goins said. “We want to get this right as a pilot.”

With only 3.8% of teachers nationwide being Black—and less than 2% being Black men—Watlington emphasized the importance of diversity in schools. “Our kids can’t be what they can’t see,” said Philadelphia Schools Superintendent Tony Watlington Sr. “All kids benefit when we diversify the teacher pipeline.” Research supports this: Black students with two Black teachers are 32% more likely to enroll in college.

Link: Philadelphia Tribune