Marquis Harris is a 22-year-old black man, a recent double-major college graduate with high honors, and a member of Mensa. In college, he was privileged to take advantage of a host of opportunities that other college students would’ve passed on, and overcame a host of misconceptions and victimizations.
Upon graduation, he decides to make a difference in the lives of others by pursuing a teaching career in Atlanta. However, the school districts there have dismissed him as being too smart to help kids become smarter.
“Though your qualifications are quite impressive, I regret to inform you that we have selected another candidate. It was felt that your demeanor and therefore presence in the classroom would serve as an unrealistic expectation as to what high school students could strive to achieve or become. However, it is highly recommended that you seek employment at the collegiate level; there your intellectual comportment would be greatly appreciated. Good luck.”
It’s asinine that school districts hem and haw about being unable to recruit teachers, and along comes a qualified person who WANTS to teach — and they say no to him. The mind boggles.
Read the entirety of Harris’ op-ed.
(link via Joanne Jacobs, by way of Amritas)
20 Responses to ““Too Intellectual To Teach High School””
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How strange. When I went to high school, back in the Dark Ages of the 70s, most of my teachers either had Masters or PhDs. The classes they taught were called “Advanced Placement” or “College Prep” classes. And this was in Florida, long reputed to have a sucky education system. I can only assume that the Georgia public school system does not even offer these programs to high school students. As far as I know, Florida still does.
Looks like the dumbing down of our nation is well underway.
Low Expectations Are Easy to Meet?
Hmmm, what could possibly explain the state of education of America’s youth? Oh, I don’t know, maybe something like this. Marquis Harris, a 22-year old black man, wanted to give something back. Marquis Harris wanted to teach high school in…
That is truly a sad state of affairs.
We cannot make progress in any area of human endeavor, unless we aspire to be the best and celebrate those who have become the best. It is only by following their example that we improve ourselves and our country.
Isaac Newton, the son of a farmer unable to sign his own name, put it best, “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants”.
Our kids deserve better.
Here’s another related story
I’m quite amazed that in living here, and in a Black affluent neighborhood near the mayor, that this is the first I’ve heard of this story.
Having attended one of the most prestigious schools in Atlanta deep in the heart of our neighborhood, this seems almost oxymoronic. Scratch that— this IS oxymoronic.
Honestly, I am not surprised by this at ALL. I’m a recent college grad myself, summa cum laude in mathematics from a prominent HBCU and been in Mensa for six years. Right now I work a shit job making money below the poverty line because the majority of the positions I’ve applied for have told me the same thing Mr. Harris has received.
And people ask me all the time why I don’t go into teaching. I tell them “Because I’m not dumb enough.” Now I think they understand why.
Along comes a qualified person who WANTS to teach.
Marquis Harris is a 22-year-old black man, a recent double-major college graduate with high honors, and a member of Mensa. In college, he was privileged to take advantage of a host of opportunities that other college students would’ve passed on,…
Oh my god!! This is unbelievable. Thanks for this link.
I’m sorry sir, but we like our teachers to be dumb as shit
File this under “You can’t possibly be for real”. From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “Brains Can Hurt Job Applicants” link via darmon This is scary to me because I am a smart woman and I have realized that my true calling
yet another annoying ‘too intelligent to teach high school’ thing.
…
Cheating Students
How many times have we heard that black students lack the role models who can show them what is possible in their lives and prove to them that they can succeed?
But when someone is is frankly an incredible role model comes along and wants to become a …
Cheating Students
How many times have we heard that black students lack the role models who can show them what is possible in their lives and prove to them that they can succeed?
But when someone is is frankly an incredible role model comes along and wants to become a …
Too Smart To Teach
How many of you out there have ever been told that you’re too qualified for a job you’ve applied for? Hands? Anyone? Anyone? Quite a…
BMW
BMW=black man working. Actually, in this case, it should be BMWTW: black man wanting (to) work; not as a rapper or a basketball player, but in one of the most important positions existing: the giver of knowledge and living example
As far as I know, this is a common problem. I’m an education major and it is made very clear to us that we can quickly become “overeducated” and thus “overqualified” for a teaching job, especially if we apply for our first public school teaching positions directly after completing a gradute program.
The only option available to us is to complete a graduate program while also continuing to teach in the public school system. Or at least have several years of experience under our belts.
The problem appears to be that the public schools don’t have enough money to pay PS teachers what they are worth once they’ve completed a grad program. Teachers are able to override that issue by continuing education (something we’re required ot do anyway) and not leaving the current contract. It’s a loophole that benefits teachers and school systems alike.
I’m not sure why Mr. Harris would have been rejected unless the school board believed he was overqualified for the job. Although it seems that a person could self-advocate, pushing for his or her acceptance into a low-paying position for the high-emotional payoff, I have no anecdotal evidence that this is the case.
Mr. Harris could benefit from other programs that encourage new graduates to teach without an education degree, although I’m skeptical of the programs’ long-term benefits for students.
A conundrum indeed.
“An Unrealistic Expectation”
MARQUIS HARRIS could be anything he wants to be. I am a 22-year-old African-American male and recent graduate of a…
I don’t think it’s an issue of Harris’ qualifications or certifications; nor do I think he’s wanting to take a low-paying job (FYI: High school teachers in Atlanta earn a median salary of over $45K per year, plus benefits — compared to compensation for HS teachers in my neck of the woods). I think he’s being singled out because he wants to make a difference and motivate others not to settle for less and succeed with their lives beyond a HS diploma.
Oh well, I guess that’s a big loss for Big Ed and a big gain for the private sector. Quite frankly, I hope Harris continues to excel and inspire in spite of the educrats.
Racism alive and well? Oh yes….
Black teacher overqualified? Not your typical “race card” story. Read, and feel your blood pressure surge….
45K? If I beging teaching in my home state Indiana, I’ll be starting at a lowly $25K a year. My college loans are almost that much right now. I’ll be looking at a $5000 increase in my available cash, before taxes. And that’s why I hope to move.
“I hope Harris continues to excel and inspire in spite of the educrats.”
I agree. People with his drive and credentials are needed everywhere. It’s just a shame that he couldn’t use his knowledge in a public school classroom.
What an unfortunate story. Home schooling really will rule in the 21st century.