BLACK EDUCATOR INITIATIVE EXPANDS

All newly hired Black teachers in Monroe to receive Fellowship

The Golden Fleece Foundation is expanding its 2022 initiative aimed at getting more Black teachers into classrooms by encouraging potential Black teachers to certify and apply for full-time teaching positions in Monroe county schools.

“Newly hired Black teachers already living in Monroe County will receive a $10,000 Fellowship, half payable when the teacher begins work, and half payable at the end of the first year,” explained John Padget, founder of the Golden Fleece Foundation (GFF).  

Newly hired new-to-county Black teachers will continue to be eligible for the $30,000 Fellowship announced last year.  The first to qualify were: Charice Petithomme (Poinciana), Riva Norris (Coral Shores), Erica Martin (Gerald Adams), and Anita Linville (Key West High School).  

There are only 14 Black teachers amongst 613 teachers across the county, just 2%.  But about 1000 Black students constitute 12% of the total enrollment of about 8000. “The district should have about 70 Black teachers to close the gap,” Padget said.  

“Nationally recognized research shows that Black students having at least one Black teacher in the classroom are more likely to achieve their God-given potentials,”  according to Dr. Darryl Robinson, Senior Paster of the 87-year-old Trinity Wesleyan Methodist Church in Key West.  

Padget continued, “New Black teachers must have the credentials that qualify them to be hired by any district school, including the charters.  The school district will notify GFF when a new teacher begins work, and the Fellowship will be granted.

To proceed, candidates should visit www.keysschools.com or contact Harry Russell:  [email protected]

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