Lawmakers praise their Black male teachers: 'I would never be here' (ABC News)

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Home – News – Lawmakers praise their Black male teachers: ‘I would never be here’ (ABC News)

Lawmakers praise their Black male teachers: ‘I would never be here’ (ABC News)

February 20, 2026 by EdTrust

“Eric Duncan, the director for preschool-12th grade policy at the nonprofit organization The Education Trust, argued Congress holds the power to bolster the Black male educator through a multitude of levers that would incentivize them to stay in the profession, including scholarships, mortgage assistance, and teacher tax credits.

Duncan, a former social studies teacher, said Black male educators need to feel empowered. Their dismal numbers would improve if the legislative branch keeps level funding for teacher pipeline programs, he said.

“Congress has a role, I think, in continuing to appropriate those funds and continues to keep those programs for the teacher prep programs in the districts that are doing the hard work of trying to recruit and retain Black male educators in their schools,” he said.”

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