AN ATHLETE on the men’s basketball team at Western Kentucky University notices an advertisement on campus for the Young Male Leadership Academy (YMLA), a program for male students interested in a career in education. The student wavers, wondering if he should check it out. He’s always been a leader, and he’s thought about teaching before, but he knows there are few male educators at the elementary and middle school levels where he would want to teach. Would he feel alone in this field? He approaches Chris Stunson’s office, the director of YMLA, and his concerns fade away; he smiles as he is met with encouragement from a man who has had a successful career in education and athletics.
Stunson is a former high school math teacher, principal, assistant principal, and athletic director. As the director of professional educator services at Western Kentucky University, Stunson oversees “educator recruitment, admissions, field experience, and student teaching and certification.” The YMLA program gives him a tangible way to inspire the next generation of male educators. He is a former athlete and athletic director, which, added to his extensive educational experience, positions him to reach male students seeking an education degree with confidence and knowledge. Stunson’s advice to his students is to prioritize academics over athletic achievement.
“During my career as a student-athlete and an athletic administrator, the importance of academics first influenced my mentoring approach,” Stunson explained. “Your athletic ability can be taken away at any moment. However, the knowledge that you gain through an academic-centered environment can never be taken from you.”
The program Stunson leads challenges expectations about young men in education. “In many cases, males do not experience the role of males in education until their high school years,” he said. “The YMLA seeks to expose students to educational careers early, particularly those from diverse backgrounds.”
YMLA focuses on leadership development. The program teaches skills such as public speaking, research and presentation design, collaboration, and professional soft skills such as handshakes and dinner etiquette.
Stunson also works through the YMLA to support students when they are struggling in any area of life. “We identify guest speakers or community influencers to speak with our young men to help them through the challenges they may be facing,” he explained. The program brings in mental health counselors, public speakers, community business leaders, and educators to support these students.
The YMLA now covers all educational fields and participates in state and national educators’ conferences.
Stunson believes in the power of education, community, and mentorship. He hopes this program will encourage some of his students to pursue education as a career. Even if they choose a different path, the skills they get from YMLA are valuable.
“Our goal is to help them be successful in whatever area they choose, with education as a first choice major,” Stunson said.
Through Stunson’s leadership, the YMLA has become more than just an education recruitment program. It is a community that challenges stereotypes, builds confidence, and creates opportunities for young men to explore a career in education. GN
