| African American males compose less than 2% of the teacher workforce within the United States of America. The primary focus of this study was to examine the attitudes of African American male college students' attitudes toward considering teaching as a profession by looking at seven dimensions: (1) formative educational experiences/schooling, (2) access into college, (3) family background/parental influence, (4) mentoring and academic support, (5) perception of the importance of the teaching profession, (6) career options, and (7) future plans. Semi-structured interview protocol questions were developed based on the research literature that addressed these seven dimensions for African American students. Eleven African American male college students were interviewed. The results of the study revealed that academic success, teachers' role in their lives, college access and recruitment, perseverance, strong support system, and spirituality were factors that contributed to African American males' college access and college retention. The results of the study also demonstrated that African American males who are in college chose professions other than teaching because there is lack of interest in the teaching field; career choices are selected from perceived salary attainment; career paths are not established while in school; teaching is not seen as an avenue to social mobility and, there is lack of respect by others for the teaching profession. |
