CLCS Awards in the Public Humanities 2022/2023 Cohort: Dr. Anthony Batts II

A study on the experiences of African-American Male English Educators and their use of culturally responsive teaching in urban schools

Project Description:

The experiences of African American male English educators present a unique dynamic and educational perspective within the K-12 school environment. The connections between trauma-informed teaching, culturally responsive teaching, and the importance of relationships within an urban education setting are key for the success of students who face educational struggles. This study explores the experiences of African American Male English educators and their duty of presenting culturally responsive teaching within an urban education setting.

Bio:

Dr. Anthony Batts II is a lifelong learner and educator from Prince George’s County, Maryland. As a Lead teacher within the Friendship Public Charter School network, Dr. Batts helped train teachers within the Early College Academy while working towards a Master’s in Secondary Education (2013). In 2019, he transitioned to Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, MD, ranked third in Maryland for academic achievement. As an educator within the Montgomery County public school system, he developed an understanding of the importance of student discovery and the social connection of literacy amongst youth. This transformed into his primary research topic, with which he earned a Doctorate of Education in Leadership and Management from Drexel University (2020). 
 
As founder and CEO of the Batts Educational Network, Dr. Batts promotes academic strategies surrounding literacy development for students within the African American community. He published Deuce: A Second Chance at Life in 2021. This book recounts an African American adolescent navigating childhood depression and issues of self-confidence and self-consciousness to find an eventual appreciation of life. His second book, A Book of Selected Short Stories: by Dr. Anthony Batts II, is a collection of dynamic stories in which the different characters learn life lessons through their interactions. Dr. Batts works on literary projects to create enthusiastic reading communities amongst younger generations. 
 
Dr. Batts continues his passion for teaching as Lecturer of Academic Writing at the University of Maryland, College Park.