Nation's Pupils Find Few Black Men To Call Mister: Lenny Macklin made it to 10th grade before having a teacher who looked like him -- an African-American male. Gregory Georges graduated from high school without ever being taught by a Black man.
Only about 2 percent of teachers nationwide are African-American men. But experts say that needs to change if educators expect to reduce minority achievement gaps and dropout rates.
Macklin, now an 18-year-old college student, said he understands the circle that keeps many of his peers out of the classroom professionally.
“A lot of males, they don't like being in school because they can't relate to their teacher,” said Macklin, of Pittsburgh. “So why would you want to work there?”
