i can Teach, i can impact.

THE CONTEXT

Despite research that shows that male educators of color benefit all students, especially students of color, and often increase student outcomes, unfortunately, they represent less than 5 percent of the U.S. public and private K-12 teaching workforce. Thus, more work is needed to advance access and exposure for young men of color in teaching and public education. I Can Teach joins this effort like many other worthy initiatives nationwide. The program employs an intentional design with young men of color at the center of its efforts. The young men help construct and lead a model that directly benefits them and impacts the youngest and often most vulnerable children. 

what we do

A teaching exposure initiative, I Can Teach introduces young men of color to teaching careers in public PK-12 education with a particular focus on early childhood education (ECE). Through this initiative, participants, known as Fellows, spend an academic school year in either a PreK-4 or kindergarten classroom working alongside an experienced lead or licensed teacher, where they acquire tangible real-world workplace skills and knowledge of best practices in ECE. The program incorporates a culturally responsive pedagogical framework into its training to ensure that students' social, emotional, and academic development is fully supported.

THE mission

Our mission is to offer participants meaningful opportunities to engage with students in early childhood classrooms, explore innovative teaching approaches, and receive mentorship and guidance from seasoned educators.

THE VISION

Our vision is to empower young men of color to see themselves functioning as future educators.

areas of focus

  • Diversity & Representation in ECE

    The increased presence of male educators of color allows students from a young age, especially young boys of color, to imagine themselves as future educators of color.

  • Workforce Development

    The integration of education, training, tangible real-world workplace experience, wraparound supports, and employer engagement equips participants of I Can Teach with essential transferable skills that will benefit them both within and beyond the field of education.

  • Teaching As a Viable Career Option

    The program intentionally immerses young men of color in various education-oriented activities that will underscore why their presence and skills are needed, not just in ECE, but across the PK-12 continuum.

  • Mitigating Inequities in ECE

    Fellows employ best practices in early childhood education with a focus on literacy, coupled with a culturally responsive pedagogical approach to support student's social, emotional, and academic growth.

meet the 2023-24 fellows

Are You A Good Fit For The Program?

  • The training and development for I Can Teach Fellows encompass the following areas to enhance their knowledge of teaching, children, and early childhood education:

    • Building Positive Relationships

    • Extended Discourse

    • Learning Through Play

    • Phonological Awareness

    • Effective Read Alouds

    • Emergent Writing

  • Helping to ensure students have bright social and academic trajectories is just one of the perks of being a Fellow. Other perks include:

    • An hourly wage of $17 an hour

    • Weekly coaching sessions

    • Career pathway planning

    • Job search assistance

    • Professional development workshops

    • Mentoring from veteran educators

    • $1,000 education award (paid upon program completion)

  • To be eligible for the I Can Teach, applicants must meet the following criteria:

    • Identify as a male of color between the ages of 17-24

    • Have a genuine interest in working with children

    • Be able to commit to at least half of the academic school year

    • Willing to work at an assigned placement site/school 4-5 days a week

    • Have reliable transportation to and from work

    • Be a high school graduate or have obtained a GED (if no longer enrolled in high school)

    • Committed to social justice and educational equity

READY TO JOIN THE MOVEMENT? APPLY TODAY!

Before applying, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with other critical elements about the program, including eligibility requirements.