Black Teachers Matter
(BTM) is a local KSU student organization that is championed by Dr. Jillian Ford,
associate professor of social studies education; Dr. Lateefah Id-Deen, associate professor
of mathematics education; Dr. Marrielle Myers, professor of mathematics education;
Dr. Rasheda Likely, assistant professor of science education; Dr. Darolyn Flaggs,
assistant professor of education; and Dr. Kristie Smith, assistant professor of English
language arts education.
The BTM vision is “a world where Black education is acknowledged, explored and celebrated.”
The group’s mission is “to help educators navigate and center a variety of Black perspectives in the field of education as well as challenge system norms. BTM strives to provide opportunities to build community, engage in productive dialogue, and conduct research while examining critical issues pertaining to Black Education.”
Since its inception, #BTM has
- held several campus events in partnership with Owl Creed Week, the Zinn Education Project, and more
- sponsored fundraisers
- supported student success through book clubs, study sessions, and career coaching
- supported undergraduate research including local and national conference presentations, and
- provided community service with our local school and community partners. at conferences.
Originally envisioned as a group to serve undergraduates, BTM was awarded grant funds to expand its scope to include an alumni cohort that supports teacher induction and retention post-graduation.
Through engagement with the alumni and a desire for deeper connection with our community partners, #BTM hosted an inaugural Black Teacher Summit as a transformative experience for educators that centered wellness, joy, pedagogy, and resistance. Attendees included KSU faculty and staff, pre-service and in-service teachers, mentor teachers, graduate students, and other community partners. Keynote sessions focused on mindfulness, pedagogy, and Black educational traditions further emphasized our efforts in building community, collective self-care, and sustaining support for Black educators inside and outside the classroom.
BTM members have shared how this group has impacted their college experience. One member said that growing up, she never had an African American teacher, and she joined BTM because “I felt like I can relate to it because it promotes Black educators.” Another member said “I like that BTM is very inclusive. I definitely felt heard, which made me keep showing up, because I didn’t feel ignored anymore. So that was probably the greatest thing that BTM gave me.”
#BTM has even received national recognition for our work and was featured in a 2023
article published by The Zinn Education Project. This article highlighted the work
#BTM does to supplement pre-service teachers’ educational experiences and offered
a summary of an event titled Rosa Parks: Activist, Advocate, Advisor. The article
is posted at the following link. https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/teaching-rosa-parks-kennesaw
For the last three years, BTM has held a Sankofa Celebration to honor the graduating seniors. The word Sankofa means “to retrieve” in the Akan Twi language – that “it is not taboo to go back for what is at risk of being left behind.” Students’ families attend, and during this time, graduates are given encouraging messages, they reflect on their experiences in BTM, they engage in various African traditions that honor ancestors, such as a Water Ceremony and are presented with gift bags. This tradition commemorates the triumphs and achievements of our Black teacher candidates. Drs. Ford, Id-Deen, Myers, Likely, Flaggs, and Smith are incredibly proud of these students and the lifelong community they have created through Black Teachers Matter.
