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OUR MISSION:

Recruit, Prepare, Place and Retain Black male teachers in elementary schools.

OUR VISION:

Is that all students have the opportunity to attend schools staffed with racially and culturally diverse teachers and leaders, reflecting the students' race, ethnicity, and cultures, thereby creating an environment that affirms students for who they are. Black Men Teach creates the environment and conditions where Black male teachers can thrive, because our children’s schooling experience will never be complete without them.

BMT STORIES

Get to know our inspiring staff

Alex McCoy exemplifies the heart of the Black Men Teach mission through their commitment to empowering educators, students, and uplifting the community. Their work reflects the values of integrity, representation, and purpose that define who we are and what we stand for.

Read My Story

Meet the Team

Alex

McCoy

Senior Manager of Teaching & Learning

Alex McCoy is a product of the public and private school systems of St. Paul, Minnesota. Coupling that with a love of learning and curiosity inspired by his first teacher, Dr. Leola Johnson, education in the state of Minnesota is a very important topic and experience that he has completely immersed himself in. With one of his core values being growth, he has found great joy in consistently learning as well as walking alongside students and teachers as they continue to educate themselves and each other.

Alex started his journey in Minnesota education on the other side of the desk. He was a classroom teacher for 8 years, with 7 of those being a first-grade teacher, before transitioning out of the classroom into the coaching and consulting space. Now with 7 years of coaching experience, Alex is able to give teachers tools that they can make their own—helping them bring their authentic selves to their work. He also brings the same authenticity to the panels he’s moderated and the professional developments he facilitates, which are conversations rooted in Black history and lineage, mixed with pedagogy and practice.

His belief in growth and community has been strengthened through the work he gets to do with the Teaching Fellows Cohort at Black Men Teach. Watching these fellows be successful in ways that reflect the incredible people and the work they put in has been incredibly gratifying for Alex. He hopes to continue to walk alongside those Black men who wish to effect change to better our world.

‍

6 QUESTIONS

WITH

Alex

1

How would you describe what you do?

I give educators tools that they make on their own and feedback that allows them to be their most authentic selves, and bring their unique experiences in the classroom. I deliver training that is steeped in Black History and the Black teaching tradition. I get to enjoy watching teachers develop their craft and bring joy to their work while they change the lives of others.

2

What about the mission inspired you to join BMT?

On my journey in education as a student I saw my first black classroom teacher in college. It was amazing to be able to engage in conversation with someone who understood the nuance of the experience. I was often the only black male classroom teacher & had to work through the difficulties of being the only black man in predominantly white spaces. I wished I had the support to not only grow but thrive in that environment, now I have a chance to provide that support to others.

3

If you could describe in one word why you work at BMT, what would it be?

Community

4

What is a piece of advice you would give to Black Men who are considering becoming teachers?

Teaching is a profession that allows you to bring all of your other talents to it. You get to have so much creativity in your space and you get to bring your whole authentic self to the work. For some students you can be the guiding light you had in school or you could provide one to someone who didn't get it. There are so many possibilities in teaching and even if you don't start on this path please know if you want to come back to it, we're here to help you along that journey.

5

What is the name of the teacher or teachers who had the most impact on you? Why?

Students and Families are the best part of the job. I have learned so much from the incredible students and amazing families I had a chance to work with. Now as a father I know how tough it can be to trust someone else with your Child's care and learning. Thank you for giving me that opportunity when I was in the classroom. For the community and parents of the fellows in our program I want to thank you for giving them the same opportunity. I also want you to know they are in good hands with a group of gentlemen who are always looking to get better at their craft and are always trying to build community within their spaces. so they can deliver their absolute best for children.

6

What else do you want the community to know about who you are, your passion for the work, and the skills you bring to the work?

Students and Families are the best part of the job. I have learned so much from the incredible students and amazing families I had a chance to work with. Now as a father I know how tough it can be to trust someone else with your Child's care and learning. Thank you for giving me that opportunity when I was in the classroom. For the community and parents of the fellows in our program I want to thank you for giving them the same opportunity. I also want you to know they are in good hands with a group of gentlemen who are always looking to get better at their craft and are always trying to build community within their spaces. so they can deliver their absolute best for children.

I give educators tools that they make on their own and feedback that allows them to be their most authentic selves, and bring their unique experiences in the classroom. I deliver training that is steeped in Black History and the Black teaching tradition. I get to enjoy watching teachers develop their craft and bring joy to their work while they change the lives of others.

1

How would you describe what you do?

1

On my journey in education as a student I saw my first black classroom teacher in college. It was amazing to be able to engage in conversation with someone who understood the nuance of the experience. I was often the only black male classroom teacher & had to work through the difficulties of being the only black man in predominantly white spaces. I wished I had the support to not only grow but thrive in that environment, now I have a chance to provide that support to others.

2

What about the mission inspired you to join BMT?

2

Community

3

If you could describe in one word why you work at BMT, what would it be?

3

Teaching is a profession that allows you to bring all of your other talents to it. You get to have so much creativity in your space and you get to bring your whole authentic self to the work. For some students you can be the guiding light you had in school or you could provide one to someone who didn't get it. There are so many possibilities in teaching and even if you don't start on this path please know if you want to come back to it, we're here to help you along that journey.

4

What is a piece of advice you would give to Black Men who are considering becoming teachers?

4

Dr. Leola Johnson was my first and longest teacher. Still at my big age she continues to educate me not only in content but in life. She was a college professor who would come home after she taught classes to make sure her two sons were still learning. 

Jenny Eisele taught me a love for writing I never knew I had. Giving us plenty of opportunities to practice writing, reading our writing to our classmates, and getting feedback on it. This is what helped me fall in love with creative writing.

Kevin Brennen was my high school English teacher. The relationship he built with me allowed me to show up as my authentic self in space. He also showed me teaching could be fun and creative by the lessons he delivered in his classroom.

‍

5

What is the name of the teacher or teachers who had the most impact on you? Why?

5

Students and Families are the best part of the job. I have learned so much from the incredible students and amazing families I had a chance to work with. Now as a father I know how tough it can be to trust someone else with your Child's care and learning. Thank you for giving me that opportunity when I was in the classroom. For the community and parents of the fellows in our program I want to thank you for giving them the same opportunity. I also want you to know they are in good hands with a group of gentlemen who are always looking to get better at their craft and are always trying to build community within their spaces. so they can deliver their absolute best for children.

6

What else do you want the community to know about who you are, your passion for the work, and the skills you bring to the work?

6

Other Staff Members:

Jordan Lewandowski

High School Program Director

View Story

Dr. Courtney Bell-Duncan

Senior Director of Collective Impact

View Story

DeSean Smedley

College Cohort Program Director

View Story

Rosemarie Ndupuechi

Chief Advancement & Marketing Officer

View Story

Hajo Jaafaru

Program & Events Coordinator

View Story

Markus Flynn

Executive Director

View Story

Sean Sweat

Impact Director

View Story
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Alex McCoy

Senior Manager of Teaching & Learning

Alex McCoy is a product of the public and private school systems of St. Paul, Minnesota. Coupling that with a love of learning and curiosity inspired by his first teacher, Dr. Leola Johnson, education in the state of Minnesota is a very important topic and experience that he has completely immersed himself in. With one of his core values being growth, he has found great joy in consistently learning as well as walking alongside students and teachers as they continue to educate themselves and each other.

Alex started his journey in Minnesota education on the other side of the desk. He was a classroom teacher for 8 years, with 7 of those being a first-grade teacher, before transitioning out of the classroom into the coaching and consulting space. Now with 7 years of coaching experience, Alex is able to give teachers tools that they can make their own—helping them bring their authentic selves to their work. He also brings the same authenticity to the panels he’s moderated and the professional developments he facilitates, which are conversations rooted in Black history and lineage, mixed with pedagogy and practice.

His belief in growth and community has been strengthened through the work he gets to do with the Teaching Fellows Cohort at Black Men Teach. Watching these fellows be successful in ways that reflect the incredible people and the work they put in has been incredibly gratifying for Alex. He hopes to continue to walk alongside those Black men who wish to effect change to better our world.

‍