VSU's 3M Society Providing Male Mentorship to African-American Elementary Students

It is widely known that African-American males make up the majority of students suspended or expelled from public schools. However, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, only 2% of teachers in this country are African-American men. Statistically, Black male teachers also tend to leave the profession at a higher rate than women or men of other races. In an attempt to address this shortfall and provide positive role models for young males throughout Petersburg (VA) area schools, the College of Education at Virginia State University initiated a student organization known as Male teachers Molding Minds (The 3M Society).



The vision of The 3M Society is to provide male teacher candidates with an academic and social support system wherein they can gain a more comprehensive understanding of their importance to schools, families, and the community as a whole.

The 3M Society is a three-tier support program in which VSU male teaching candidates are mentored by male teachers currently employed at area PK-12 schools.  In turn, 3M participants then serve as mentors to young boys in elementary schools. The Virginia State University students meet with a teaching professional once every two weeks to discuss a variety of topics including professionalism in the work place, navigating the unique experience of being a male in a female dominated profession, and effective strategies for educating all students.  In adherence to the conceptual framework of the College of Education, these meetings serve as a means for developing the young men into competent, caring, and effective reflective practitioners.

Weekly mentoring sessions facilitated by the 3M Society participants at a local elementary school focus on the development of leadership skills. The overall objective is to transform the elementary students referred to the program into positive role models and leaders within their school. The 3M members teach the students how to tie a tie, professional dress tips, the importance of vocabulary, and other characteristics of a leader. In partnership with the workshops, the VSU students visit the school periodically to sit in on classes or visit their mentee during lunch.

While mentoring is the foundation of the The 3M Society, members also participate in a variety of service learning projects.  In the past, they have volunteered at the local Veteran’s hospital, supported professional development programs at the university, and lead book and pencil drives for school-age students in Ghana. The organization recently co-sponsored and hosted a university-wide forum discussion on sex trafficking.

For more information about Virginia State University’s Male Teachers Molding Minds mentoring program, contact their founder and current advisor, Mr. John C. Travis, M.Ed., via email at jtravis@vsu.edu.