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Guest column: Black educators can help solve racial disparities in education
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As we close out Black History Month, I believe Jacksonville has an opportunity to make history by investing in black educators.
Research has shown that teacher diversity helps all students, especially students who look like them. One study found that low-income black boys are 39 percent more likely to graduate high school if they have just one black male teacher in elementary school. That is an astounding figure from a rigorous, long-term study.
Education experts offer a couple explanations for this. One is representation: Black teachers are living proof to students that they can achieve great things in college and career. Another is cultural responsiveness: Black teachers who share the background of their students may be able to relate to them more easily, and be less likely to have implicit biases that negatively impact students.
Adults supporting Duval students protesting for more Black history education I m trying to advocate for students with colleagues who don t understand why it s necessary to change the curriculum, said former DCPS teacher Liltera Lewis. Author: Renata Di Gregorio Updated: 7:17 AM EST February 17, 2021
Some adults are adding their voices to the Duval County high school protests that started last week and have centered around learning more Black history.
Liltera Lewis is a former DCPS English teacher who says she was the only Black English teacher at her school for five years.
She believes some of her former colleagues did not understand the importance of Black voices and history in their classrooms.
Mandarin High School’s Jim Schmitt named 2021 VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jim Schmitt, who teaches history and global perspectives and research at Mandarin High School, was named the 2021 VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year.
The winner was revealed during the Jacksonville Public Education Fund’s EDDY Awards, which aired live Wednesday afternoon on Channel 4. The 30th annual awards show, presented by VyStar Credit Union and hosted by News4Jax anchor Melanie Lawson, was also streamed on News4Jax.com. It was the first time the ceremony, which usually seats 1,100, was televised, allowing anyone to watch.
1 of 5 finalists will be named 2021 VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year
2021 EDDY Awards will be broadcast at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Five finalists Kenneth Ford, Jameea Jackson-Gaines, Kimberly Parker, Nadine Ebri, Jim Schmitt in the running to be the VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year will find out Wednesday if they have won the honor.
We will all find out at the same time as the winner is revealed during The EDDY Awards, which is set to air live on Channel 4 at 12:30 p.m. Wedneday. The awards show, hosted by News4Jax Anchor Melanie Lawson, also be streamed live on News4Jax.com.