✊🏾

Hello

my name is

Raphael B.

Mr. Barnett

AKA

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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 torch-bearing BMT Teachers.

Raphael embodies the spirit of Black Men Teach in the classroom—empowering students, modeling excellence, and cultivating a learning environment rooted in purpose, representation, and integrity. As a teacher, their impact goes beyond academics, shaping the hearts and minds of future leaders while uplifting the community they serve. This is his story.

Read My Story

Hello reader, thanks for reading my story!

Hello, I'm Raphael. This is my 5th year teaching. I'm from the Twin Cities, and a big reason I got into teaching was wanting to give back to the community. I wanted to be there and be an example for kids who felt misunderstood and underserved. Teaching allows me to do that.

A few things I enjoy during my spare time include listening to music, painting, spending time at the lake, and watching music documentaries.

A quote that has resonated with me in my life is a simple one:
‍

"Get to the spot!" — Eric Thomas


It basically says that opportunities only open up for you when you get where you need to be. For some people, it could be the library, church, or the gym. This one simple statement has revealed itself to be true for me many times in my life.

I am proud to be a part of the 0.05%.

Hello reader, thanks for reading my story!

My name is

Raphael B.

But my wonderful students call me

Mr. Barnett

I teach

3rd Grade

at BMT Partner School

Teaching Fellow

Did you know in the State of Minnesota only

1 in 200

elementary teachers are Black Men? That's half of 1%.

I am a Black Male Teacher,

I am an impactful and inspiring leader.

My name is

Raphael B.

But my wonderful students call me

Mr. Barnett

I am proud half-percent, this is my story.

Raphael

BMT Educator

Read Interview

BMT Teacher

Raphael

BMT Educator

Teaching Fellow

Hello, I'm Raphael. This is my 5th year teaching. I'm from the Twin Cities, and a big reason I got into teaching was wanting to give back to the community. I wanted to be there and be an example for kids who felt misunderstood and underserved. Teaching allows me to do that.

A few things I enjoy during my spare time include listening to music, painting, spending time at the lake, and watching music documentaries.

A quote that has resonated with me in my life is a simple one:
‍

"Get to the spot!" — Eric Thomas


It basically says that opportunities only open up for you when you get where you need to be. For some people, it could be the library, church, or the gym. This one simple statement has revealed itself to be true for me many times in my life.

I am proud to be a part of the 0.05%.

Hello, I'm Raphael. This is my 5th year teaching. I'm from the Twin Cities, and a big reason I got into teaching was wanting to give back to the community. I wanted to be there and be an example for kids who felt misunderstood and underserved. Teaching allows me to do that.

A few things I enjoy during my spare time include listening to music, painting, spending time at the lake, and watching music documentaries.

A quote that has resonated with me in my life is a simple one:
‍

"Get to the spot!" — Eric Thomas


It basically says that opportunities only open up for you when you get where you need to be. For some people, it could be the library, church, or the gym. This one simple statement has revealed itself to be true for me many times in my life.

I am proud to be a part of the 0.05%.

Hello Reader!
Thanks for being here and reading my story. I appreciate you taking the time to get to know me and Black Men Teach.

My name is

Raphael B.

But my wonderful students call me

Mr. Barnett

I teach

3rd Grade

at a BMT Partner School!


Teaching Fellow

THIS IS MY STORY

Hello, I'm Raphael. This is my 5th year teaching. I'm from the Twin Cities, and a big reason I got into teaching was wanting to give back to the community. I wanted to be there and be an example for kids who felt misunderstood and underserved. Teaching allows me to do that.

A few things I enjoy during my spare time include listening to music, painting, spending time at the lake, and watching music documentaries.

A quote that has resonated with me in my life is a simple one:
‍

"Get to the spot!" — Eric Thomas


It basically says that opportunities only open up for you when you get where you need to be. For some people, it could be the library, church, or the gym. This one simple statement has revealed itself to be true for me many times in my life.

I am proud to be a part of the 0.05%.

9 QUESTIONS

WITH

Raphael

1

How many years have you been teaching?

5

2

What does it mean to be a Black male teacher?

It means students look up to you. Confide in you. Relate to you. See themselves in you. See the possibilities when they look at you. It's a lot of responsibility, obviously, but it's a beautiful thing.

3

What grade did you have your first Black male teacher? What's one big takeaway you gained from that experience?

I never had one.

4

What's your favorite subject to teach? Why?

Recess. I like to build relationships with my kids. I love playing tag with them. I think a lot of teachers detach from the kids during that time and I like to attach. They say kids learn better from teachers they like. Holding kids accountable goes over better when they know you love them.

5

What's a one-liner you use all the time in the classroom?

I don't really have one.

6

List three words your students would use to describe you.

Fun

Warm

High-Expectations

7

What is your favorite activity to do with your students?

Math games.

8

If you could take your students on a field trip to any place around the world, where would you take them?

If I didn’t need to be accountable for them: Disney World.

If I do: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.

9

What’s your favorite movie or TV show, favorite book, and go-to after-school snack?

Favorite Movie or TV Show:
Fresh prince, brown sugar, and the wood.

Favorite Book:
You owe you by Eric Thomas

Go-To After-School Snack:
Tru Fru dark chocolate and cherry.

5

1

How many years have you been teaching?

1

It means students look up to you. Confide in you. Relate to you. See themselves in you. See the possibilities when they look at you. It's a lot of responsibility, obviously, but it's a beautiful thing.

2

What does it mean to be a Black male teacher?

2

I never had one.

3

What grade did you have your first Black male teacher? What's one big takeaway you gained from that experience?

3

Recess. I like to build relationships with my kids. I love playing tag with them. I think a lot of teachers detach from the kids during that time and I like to attach. They say kids learn better from teachers they like. Holding kids accountable goes over better when they know you love them.

4

What's your favorite subject to teach? Why?

4

I don't really have one.

5

What's a one-liner you use all the time in the classroom?

5

Fun

Warm

High-Expectations

6

List three words your students would use to describe you.

6

Math games.

7

What is your favorite activity to do with your students?

7

If I didn’t need to be accountable for them: Disney World.

If I do: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.

8

If you could take your students on a field trip to any place around the world, where would you take them?

8

Favorite Movie or TV Show:
Fresh prince, brown sugar, and the wood.

Favorite Book:
You owe you by Eric Thomas

Go-To After-School Snack:
Tru Fru dark chocolate and cherry.

9

What’s your favorite movie or TV show, favorite book, and go-to after-school snack?

9

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