L.E.N.S. Author for 2023
“The Making of a MAD Man- How A Former Inner City Principal Was Shaped to Serve Through Motivation, Adversity, & Determination”
Dr. Mateen A. Diop, Ed.D, is an educator, author, publisher, and activist for the future of males of color. As an educator, Dr. Diop has served in every role and capacity in the K-12 arena. Beginning as a classroom teacher to district-wide executive director, and eventually leading one of the toughest high schools in Bexar County. Dr. Diop is the founding principal of the Cyber PTECH program in the San Antonio ISD, and also the visionary behind the Young Men’s and Young Women’s Leadership Academies.
Dr. Diop authored his seminal book (Inner-City Public Schools Still Work, How One Principal’s Life is Living Proof) in 2012, detailing his struggles as a student and finally realizing his calling to become a life-long educator. Dr. Diop details in his book the fantastic job his team of teachers accomplished while he served as their principal. “It was such an honor to lead this talented, passionate group of teachers. Our students surpassed every academic milestone in the school’s history.” His latest book- The Making of a MAD Man- How A Former Inner City Principal Was Shaped to Serve Through Motivation, Adversity, & Determination was released in 2021 and details his life as an executive administrator and high school principal.
As a high school principal, Dr. Diop quickly realized that the traditional model of educating inner-city students needed to be addressed. Faced with an overwhelming number of at-risk and overage students, Dr. Diop created the first overage program at Sam Houston High School. This program was designed to accommodate the needs of older students during the school day and get them back on track to graduate high school. In only the first year, the program graduated 15 students- who otherwise may have dropped out of high school.
Dr. Diop is a product of our nation’s inner-city schools and believes that we can direct our youth in such a powerful way, but we must be willing to lead boldly and embrace change so that we can direct their thoughts toward positive ends.
A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Dr. Diop took advantage of programs like Troops to Teachers to become a certified public school educator. Dr. Diop holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Incarnate Word, and Master’s and Doctoral degrees from Texas A&M University- Kingsville.
