Working with Male African-American Students Essentials of Professional Development Alexandria, VA March 10, 2017
Overview Definition Factors Affecting AA Male Psyche Actions & Approaches Traits vs. Attributes Success Markers Takeaways
Factors Affecting AA Psyche Acculturation - Process in which members of one cultural group adopt the beliefs and behaviors of another group. Assimilation - Process by which a person or a group's language and, or culture come to resemble those of another group. Racism Belief that a particular race is superior or inferior to another, that a person's social and moral traits are predetermined by his or her inborn biological characteristics. Stereotype - Preconceived notion, especially about a group of people. Many stereotypes are racist, sexist, or homophobic.
Classroom Issues Affecting AA Males Stereotype threat -Refers to being at risk of confirming, as a selfcharacteristic, a negative stereotype about one's social group. (Steele & Aronson, 1995) Impostor syndrome - Concept describing high-achieving individuals who are marked by an inability to internalize their accomplishments and a persistent fear of being exposed as a "fraud". Micro-inequities - Apparently small events which are often ephemeral and hard-to-prove, events which are covert, often unintentional, frequently unrecognized by the perpetrator, which occur wherever people are perceived to be different.
Gender Specific Issues Definition of Manhood Respect (Demand vs. Command) Self-worth Esteem Opinion of others Sexualty Ability to ASK FOR HELP Sensitivity to Criticism
External Issues Affecting the Classroom Underrepresented minority (URM) students First generation Recent Immigrants From lower socio-economic backgrounds Compelling personal stories Political Concerns Demonstrated examples of overcoming adversity Demonstrated instances of self-advocacy Instances of students who have been adversely affected because of race, gender or ethnicity and sexuality Undiagnosed
Actions/Approach
Non-Cognitive Factors A process that seeks to level the playing field by focusing assessment of student abilities or admissibility on other criteria than standardized tests. It focuses on student success markers to achieve success. Most of this work has been extensively researched and explained by Dr. William E. Sedlacek, in his book Beyond the Big Test: Noncognitive Assessment in Higher Education (2004).
Traits vs Attributes Traits - Distinguishing quality or characteristic, typically one belonging to a person. (Genetically determined characteristic.) Attributes Qualities or characteristics that can be learned over time
Identifying Success Markers Persistence Hard work Love of learning Commitment to the learning process Future long range goals Understands and fits institutional culture Ability to handle failure Willing to take (appropriate) academic risks Great work ethic Working to potential Demonstrated seeker of support services
Thrive vs. Survive Thrive Self-Advocates Love of Learning A member of the community A sense of Self Has a strong support system Survive Works harder not smarter Decisions are heavily influenced by insecurities Has a weak support system Forced to be an adult
Roadmap for working with AA Males Understanding Cultural background of student Acknowledging and owning you Stuff All ISM s Micro-iniquities Actively & Deliberately creating COMMUNITY Addressing the Elephants in the room directly
Roadmap for working with AA Males Individual approach with each student Finding a common language Determining roles & assigning responsibility accordingly Teacher/Admin Home Support Student
Formula for Success Respect The place to start and the basis of any relationship. Remember, how they are viewed is important. (Demand vs. Command)
Formula for Success Trust Only after Respect has been established, will they trust you. Only after trust has been established will they share with you. Only a fool tests the waters with both feet --Nigerian Proverb
Formula for Success Collaboration Only after Respect and Trust are established can you Collaborate.
Formula for Success Respect The place to start and the basis of any relationship. Remember, how they are viewed is important. (Demand vs. Command) Trust Only after Respect has been established, will they trust you. Only after trust has been established will they share with you. Collaboration = Respect + Trust