Journal of a Black Teacher

The lawsuit between Minneapolis Public Schools and the U.S. Department of Justice could be fixed overnight, if only someone dared to say the obvious: the district is too big to succeed. That’s right, shrink it. Fewer layers, fewer “executive directors of innovation equity leadership,” and more actual teachers who know their students' names. Instead of bloated bureaucracy and selective “diversity” programs that only help insiders, a smaller, leaner system might actually... function. Imagine that. The DOJ wouldn’t need to sue if we stopped outsourcing equity to policies that protect the privileged few. Cut the district, trim the egos, and maybe, just maybe, Black and Native male educators would be hired for their qualifications, not their connections. Wild idea, right? Common sense. Too dangerous for policy. Read the filing here PDF. By Don Allen (Editorial Opinion) Journal of A Black Teacher (2025) The lawsuit that the United States Department of Justice filed against the Minneapol...

I believe it is important to explore the sources of support and resources available to us. I am confident that many Black teachers and administrators would be willing to contribute $50 a month to the BMT, provided there is a clear and transparent approach that fosters trust, accountability, and responsibility through the use of data. My focus is not on personal grievances but rather on promoting positive outcomes, as I have a deep understanding of the systems in which we operate. By Don Allen, Ed.S., M.A. Ed., MAT - Doctoral Candidate - Research Scientist As a Black male teacher in Minnesota, I am particularly concerned with efforts to grow the number of Black male teachers in Minnesota classrooms. Black Men Teach (BMT), a nonprofit group, has drawn attention for its work to recruit, prepare, place, and retain Black male elementary school teachers in Minnesota. While the aims of the organization are commendable, there is an immediate need for greater transparency regarding its activiti...