Black Men Teach: A conversation with Devon Minke
Devon Minke teaches third grade at North Park School for Innovation in Columbia Heights. Prior to joining Black Men Teach, he was a college student at Minnesota State University Mankato pursuing a degree in elementary education. We sat down to talk to him about Black Men Teach.
How did you get involved in Black Men Teach?
During the summer of 2021, I had the opportunity to be a servant leader intern at a Freedom School here in the Twin Cities. The executive director of Black Men Teach, Markus Flynn, came to be a read aloud guest and spoke to our site that summer about BMT. A coworker in the program connected us and after speaking with Markus about BMT’s mission to recruit, prepare, place, and retain Black men in the classroom, this was a movement I knew I wanted to be a part of.
What makes Black Men Teach unique?
The people within the organization. From the staff at Black Men Teach, teaching fellows, college fellows, high school boys, and even the students we serve in Black Men Teach Academy, this wonderful community is what makes this program so special. Whenever I am in a space of people from Black Men Teach, you can feel the love for education and community in the room. I always want to be around the folks in this program because it helps rejuvenate me and helps motivate me on this tiring journey of change within education.
What has been your career trajectory since being involved with Black Men Teach? What are your career goals?
Since joining Black Men Teach, I truly believe that I can achieve anything I really put my passion and mind towards. This program has given me the people, resources, and belief to feel like I can help students, families, and my community inside and outside of the classroom. Right now, I am going back to school to pursue my graduate degree at the University of Minnesota to understand what leadership looks like in education. I believe the best and most intentional work is done in the classroom with students, but I also understand the immense work our educational systems need to change has to come through leadership and community organizing work as well. My goal throughout my time in education is to help change a system that was never made for the people from my community and rebuild the trust within educational institutions.
Devon Minke teaches third grade at North Park School for Innovation in Columbia Heights. (Photo by Benjamin Muller, courtesy of Black Men Teach)
How would you describe Black Men Teach to a prospective teacher?
I would describe Black Men Teach as a village. Many have heard the saying “It takes a village to raise a child” and I firmly believe this African proverb applies to the way Black Men Teach supports their fellows. We are all supported by one another and the organization as a whole. Many times, I have heard fellows struggling inside the classroom or their everyday lives outside of their careers and the people at Black Men Teach are here to be there for us in any capacity. When you become a part of Black Men Teach, it’s like being brought into a family.
How would you describe Black Men Teach to a prospective benefactor?
Black Men Teach is a life-changing organization that is not only here for the people within the teaching profession, but they are also changing our communities. When students and families see teachers, principals, and leaders within educational spaces who look like them, they often see themselves in those people. Minnesota is a special place with so many different cultures and perspectives of life that our teaching population should reflect the beautiful diversity we have across the state. To truly serve our communities, we must invest in organizations like Black Men Teach who are putting in the time in our communities to show Black boys and Black men that they can accomplish anything they want in this world, even be a teacher.
Any final thoughts?
I hope there is a day where every student and family in Minnesota gets to see how beautiful education can be when Black men are able to lead classrooms, schools, and districts with the tools to be successful.