Phoenix district taps fellowship to bring male teachers of color into classrooms

Men make up just 23% of American teachers and that number is shrinking.

A new partnership between the Man Up Fellowship and Phoenix’s Creighton School District is trying to reverse that trend, placing five male teachers of color in classrooms this fall to give students role models who look like them and filling vacancies the district has struggled to staff.

For the 2026-27 school year, five fellows will work in the district teaching various subjects, with the goal to expand the program to other districts in the state.

Patrick Washington, founder and CEO of Man Up, said the Creighton district approached him about putting more teachers who reflect the community’s students in its classrooms.

“It just makes sense to have teachers who are, you know, who represent the kids that they serve,” Washington said. “It is about finding leadership that also has a similar lens in terms of recognizing that there’s power when we all embrace difference and we make sure that our kids see themselves in front of classrooms,” he said.

Joel Laurin, executive director of human resources with the Creighton School District, said the program allows students to see a representation of their future selves in a career field they may not have previously considered an option.

“Just seeing a successful professional that looks like you reflect things about your own upbringing and your own family really is motivational … sometimes kids aren’t really thinking about ‘what is my long-term trajectory? How does what I’m doing now in this classroom affect my future?’ But when they have a teacher that they can look at and say, ‘Well, this could be me in the future,’ then they’re able to have those conversations,” he said.

Jay Mann, Superintendent of the Creighton School District, said the program is also setting up a future pathway for these teachers to continue to grow in the district.

“Not only do you have people transitioning in with those skill sets, but you have all the supports to help make certain that they’re not only successful in their first year, but that they’re setting a trajectory to continue to be successful beyond that,” he said.

From Mississippi roots to 300 classrooms nationwide

Washington started the program after growing up influenced by stories of ancestors that had taught formerly enslaved people to read in Mississippi in the 19th century.

The program now has over 300 fellows currently placed at schools around the country.

The goal is to increase the number of male teachers of color in the U.S. by five percent by 2030.

Sen. Mark Kelly introduces bill to close the male teacher gap

In July, Arizona U.S. Senator Mark Kelly introduced a bill that encourages young men to enter the classroom.

Kelly said the declining number of male teachers is shaping how young boys see their own futures.

“When I was younger, it was about 35%,” he said. “Today, that number is down to about 23%.”

Washington said Man Up’s mission aligns with Kelly’s push.

“Our vision statement is to transform the world through the classroom,” he said.

Funding for this journalism is made possible by the Arizona Local News Foundation.

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