Page 13, Meet BMT Fellows.
Leading & Teaching the Next Generation:
MEET THETIS WHITE
5th grade teacher, BMT Teaching Fellow
One might say that Thetis is the O.G. BMT Fellow. His local and national media appearances for Black Men Teach have made him recognizable, but reducing his popularity to just that would be a major minimization. From BMT staff and Fellows to Monroe parents, teachers, staff, and students, Thetis is remembered for his work ethic, effectiveness, and sincere emotional investment in those around him. Since earning his teaching license, Monroe has been his home. For him, it has been the perfect place to be.
“The BMT founders had a conversation with me because I was pretty much one of one at the time. They introduced me to Amy over email. I came to Monroe for a tour, and I was sold. Amy was like, ‘You’re going to be supported. I know what you’re doing, and I see you. I want to give you the opportunity to work on your craft.’ The rest is history.”
Thetis did not have the benefit of Black Men Teach during his transition from school aide to teacher. However, as an experienced Teaching Fellow, the organization has fully supported his gift for education. This includes $50,000 in tuition reimbursement through a partnership with Box Tops for Education and an additional $30,000 pledge towards a down payment on a home through the BMT Homeownership Initiative.
Thetis’ first class of 5th graders are now in high school, and despite going hybrid due to the COVID-19 pandemic that year, they still hold Thetis dear. One student presented an original song to honor him at the Inaugural Black Men Teach Gala in 2023. His subsequent classes have generally performed at or above the district and state averages on standardized math and reading assessments.
“What we are doing here is so important. I think about my professionalism that I need to continue to have, not just walking through the building, but outside too. I’ve been to a few schools in our district and there’s not one Black face... I’m looking at the demographics of the building, I can still see the kids, and it’s like, how is this not important to everybody else?”
Leading & Teaching the Next Generation:
MEET Sidney McClain
2nd grade teacher, BMT Teaching Fellow
Sidney met Markus just as he was ready to be placed in a school full-time. Markus introduced Sidney to Amy, and they both felt he’d be right at home at Monroe. With the principal’s support, meeting Thetis and seeing him in action, and connecting with his new instructional coach, Alex (who co-created the phonics curriculum Sidney would be piloting), applying to become a BMT Teaching Fellow felt like a natural next step.
“Black Men Teach has a very positive impact on Monroe. Here, I feel like I can be a Black male teacher, comfortably, because I have the support in my school, too. All the teachers at my school know about Black Men Teach. I also think the white and non-Black teachers at my school are not holding back when they’re speaking to Black boys and girls – the disciplinary feel at the school feels like we’re all on the same level, and my colleagues have more confidence as well. If the kids are getting called out on their behavior, there’s no ‘Oh, you don’t like me because I’m Black.’ There’s a shared culture among teachers here. The kids are holding themselves accountable too. I’m in a pretty good spot!”
