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(Secretary Duncan) It's a pleasure to be here today to do something
which I think we do too little of in the field of education, and that is to celebrate success.
As many of you know, historically black colleges and universities, including Xavier, were established
a century ago for the purpose of training a generation of black teachers. Nationwide,
35% of public school students are black or Hispanic. But less than 15% of our teachers
are black and Latino. It is especially troubling that less than 2% of our nation's teachers
are African-American males.
(La'Mont Geddis) Why would you want to be a teacher when you're
watching all of your friends disrespect the teachers? Why would you want to be the teachers
when the teachers are not quote-unquote cool. But that's why I wanted to be a teacher. Because
I want to dispel those myths that we as black men are not responsible for educating our
own children. See, when we're not in the classroom, we're allowing other people to educate our
children. And that's our job. We are the first teachers.
(Man on Screen) I am a person of action. I believe in change
and I saw that I can make a change.
(Man on Screen) I have always wanted to be a teacher. I feel
that teaching is actually my calling.
(Man on Screen) I attend Xavier University and I want to be
a music teacher.
(Man on Screen) I am a graduate of Jackson State University
with a degree in education; and I am a second grade teacher.
(Secretary Duncan) Education must be the great equalizer in America.
If you care about promoting opportunity and reducing inequality, the classroom is a great
place to start. Great teaching is about so much more than education-it is a daily fight
for social justice.
TEACH.