By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer

(March 25, 2021) Male students of color at Pocomoke High School have been participating in Men Achieving Dreams through Education (M.A.D.E. Men), which is a Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM) program in partnership with the University of Maryland Eastern Shore that focuses on promoting the education profession.

Matt Hoffman

Matt Hoffman, assistant principal of Pocomoke High School, told the Worcester County Board of Education last Tuesday that most educators in the U.S. are White, while 67 percent of students across the U.S. are White and 43 percent are Black or Hispanic.

As for Pocomoke High School, 96 percent of educators are White.

“Compared with our students, we actually have slightly more of Black or Hispanic students,” Hoffman said. “There’s a glaring disparity. It’s something we’re aware of, and we’re actively trying to change.”

Jai’ Sample, a sophomore at Pocomoke High School, said representation matters for a better connection.

“We know it’s important. We know we want to recruit more teachers of color,” Hoffman said.

However, there is a teacher shortage. In 1980, 22 percent of students were majoring in education in college. Last year, only 4.6 percent of students were majoring in education, Hoffman said.

Through M.A.D.E. Men, Worcester County Public Schools is trying to grow its own future educators.

Students participating in the program can earn 12 credits composed of three dual enrollment education courses, plus an internship opportunity.

M.A.D.E. Men involves on-site mentorship at Pocomoke High School, student-centered activities, student portfolios and field trips to universities post-covid. In addition, guest speakers would Zoom with students to provide information about their schools.

At the end of the first 2020 summer academy, seven boys in grades 10 through 12 were recognized at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore for completion of their first college courses and commitment to become teachers.

“We are looking to have another summer session and new fall and spring sessions coming up,” Sample said.

M.A.D.E. Men has also recently been extended to young men of color at Snow Hill High School.

Hoffman added that students will be joining the National Education Association (NEA) and attending conferences virtually and, possibly, in person.

“We are also starting a female version of M.A.D.E. Men, which is called Women Who R.I.S.E.,” he said, adding that the program is in partnership with Salisbury University.

R.I.S.E. stands for “Reach and Inspire Students through Education.”

“We’ve already begun recruiting female students,” Hoffman said.