Black Educator Sees Role As 'irritating' For Change

The Ann Arbor Schoo1 System acgulredjhe reputation of being "racist" mány years aga, and that notoriety still Imgers, according to the jggg.Educators of Ann Arbor. But the Black Educators are trying to do something about ït. Formed nearly three years a go by three black women employed by the Ann Arbor Public Schools, the group numbered 83 during the 196970 school year. This was the number of black teachers and administrators in the city system. Membership is quite informal. "If you're black and an An nArbor teacher or administrator, you belong," remarks Miss Wendy Johnson, chairman of the Black Educators. Miss Johnson, an attractive first-grade teacher at Thurston School for the past six years, tells of the main goal of the group: "We're trying to make the people of Ann Arbor aware of the black experience, aware of what it's like to be black and sitting in a classroom." She adds: "Our goal is to improve instruction for all children in Ann Arbor, not just the very bright." In more specific terms, the Black Educators are concerned with the present curriculum and black students; administrators and the needs of students; the accountability of educators to the black community; the mobilization of black parents, teachers, and administrators to improve education, and the present counseling system as it relates to blacks. Miss Johnson sees the Black Educators in a gadfly role, "irritating" the schools and community until the necessary changes come about. "We are simply not reaching most of our students," according to Collier Owens, assistant principal at Slauson Junior high and a member of the Black Educators. Miss Johnson agrees that Ann Arbor has been "traditionally geared toward the bright child." Both say an awakening has begun to take place about the need to change priorities- to help the slow learners and those with learning problems, as well as those with different cultural backgrounds. But change is slow. Teachers are going to have to learn how to handle kids that don't fit the norm," Miss Johnson comments. Besides meeting regularly with school administrators to help them understand the "black experience" and bring about constructive change, the Black Educátors have been busy agitating for ations in the Personnel Office through the addition of a black assistant director. That person, James C. Buntin, was employed May 25. The Black Educators hope that hiring will help bring about greater increases in black staff. Some 104 black staff members for 1970-71 were employed as of June 15 - an increase of 21 over 197070. And school officials are searching for more. But this is "definitely not enough," Miss Johnson declares quickly. "There is a surplus of teachers this year. None of us in Black Educators -is convinced the people in Ann Arbor jeally want more black teachers. Otherwise, we'd have them." If the people and the school system I were "truly interested in I recruiting," the personnel I staff would be beefed up I along with their budget, she I believes. Some of the Black Educators have taken trips to their "alma maters" tohelp recruit. The present counseling ratio is another pet peeve of the local group. (Last year, the counselor-pupil ratio in the Ann Arbor secondary schools was 1 to 330. In 197071, it will be 1 to 275 or 300). 'We s i m p 1 y need more counselors, white and black," Miss Johnson says. "A ratio of 1 to 330 is ridiculous." More supportive services for many of the children, such as social workers and psychologists, also are I ed, in the opinión of the Black Educators. The gr oup has, been mcreasing its financial support for black students wishing to continue their edueaüons in college or technkal schools. Miss Johnson says some funds are still available for 19 70-71, and students interested in applying for the money should contact her. Have the Black Educators been successful in sensitizing the community to the needs of black students? Have they made a dent in the school system which they believe still has racist elements? Miss Johnson and Owens were quick to answer in the negative. The younger I ers coming into the system I are "definitely more liberal," I in Miss Johnson's view. But the attitude of the school system can't be changed until society 's attitude changes, too, the Black Educators believe. I But they are not giving up. "It's an ongoing thing. We'lll keep working," Miss Johnson I Dromised.