Father Engagement in Schools: Beyond Sports with Kelin Mark Sr. & Bro. Thomas X-Williams

Father Engagement in Schools: Beyond Sports with Kelin Mark Sr. & Bro. Thomas X-Williams Are fathers truly engaged in their children's education, or are they only showing up for sports? This groundbreaking conversation challenges school leaders to rethink father involvement and activate dads as powerful academic partners. Kelin Mark Sr., the first Black male principal in both Wayne Township School District and Park Tudor School, shares the personal experiences that led him to create the DADS program after discovering schools systematically overlooked him despite his active involvement in his son's life. Brother Thomas X-Williams, co-founder of Love and Light Ministry, Inc., reveals how father absence impacts student ambition, showing how young people shift from dreams of becoming physicists and astronauts to limiting themselves to athletics when meaningful dad engagement declines from elementary through high school. In this episode, you'll learn: Why schools default to calling mothers even when fathers are actively involved and available How one engaged father creates a ripple effect supporting not just their child but entire peer groups Practical strategies for creating welcoming school environments where fathers feel valued in academic spaces The connection between visible Black male presence in schools and strengthening the educator pipeline Why moving beyond mentorship programs to root-level father involvement transforms student outcomes Featured Guests: Kelin Mark Sr. is Middle School Director at Park Tudor School, recognized with the MG Raby Award for Equity and the Jefferson Award for Multiplying Good for his groundbreaking DADS program helping fathers take active roles in education. Bro. Thomas X-Williams is a national speaker, youth education advocate, and author of "Mountain Mover: The Impeccable Strength That Will Accompany Your Character," dedicated to empowering young Black males through character development and academic resilience. Recommended Resources: Mountain Mover: The Impeccable Strength That Will Accompany Your Character by Bro. Thomas X-Williams Love and Light Ministry, Inc. Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-johnson510/ Email: [email protected] The Dean's Roundtable: Where student life professionals connect, learn, share, and grow together.