What you need to know
- Apple has detailed a new partnership with Huston-Tillotson University.
- The teaching program is aimed at Black males.
Apple today outlined a partnership with Huston-Tillotson University that is designed to help Black males become teachers.
Apple tells the story of Hillary-Rhys Richard, an 18-year-old who has never had a Black male teacher himself. With a family background in teaching, he decided to follow in their footsteps and Apple is helping.
This week, Rhys, 18, will complete his freshman year remotely as part of the inaugural class of the African American Male Teacher Initiative at Huston-Tillotson University. The first-of-its-kind program was created in partnership with Apple as part of the company's ongoing and deep commitment to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Apple's multiyear partnership with Huston-Tillotson complements other engagements the company has established through its Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, working alongside the HBCU community to develop curricula and provide new learning and workforce opportunities.At Huston-Tillotson, Apple is providing scholarships for the program's students, called Pre-Ed Scholars, as well as hardware, software, and professional-development courses for students and faculty.
Only 2% of US teachers are Black men, Apple goes on to say. That's something the new program is aiming to change. "When Black students are taught by a Black teacher, they are significantly more likely to graduate high school and consider attending college," Apple's Newsroom post goes on to point out.
You can read more about the new program in the Apple Newsroom post, including how Apple apps like Clips and Garageband are being used in education.
"I'm really excited about learning more about Apple technology with the Apple Teacher program," says Rhys. "Especially now that I've been introduced to GarageBand, I want to learn more about how I can incorporate it into my classes when I'm a teacher."
