WINSTON-SALEM -- A report from the National Education Association shows the number of male teachers is at a 40-year low. Leaders at Winston-Salem State University are hopeful a new program will change that by getting more African-American males to pursue careers in education.

It’s called Real Men Teach, and more than a dozen students are already onboard.

"We want to support them, help them when they're feeling down, you know be there for them for whatever their issues may be. And help nurture them to that next level,” said Rudy Anderson. “Actually getting that degree or advanced degrees and moving forward in the classroom so they can create change in this community."

Officials celebrated the launch of the program at a dinner Thursday night. Elementary education students Kevin Wilson is one of the young men who signed on to the program.

"The opportunities you have in the organization where the main focus is to bring us together and to unify and be one big movement of change is something that I’m really excited about,” he said.

Leaders are hopeful the initiative will create more positive role models in the classroom for teens.

“Having a male in the classroom that can provide those personal supports, those academic support and even sometimes the social support can be very, very critical in the development of p-12 children,” said Cynthia Hammond.

There are 14 students in the Real Men Teach program. Leaders hope to see that number grow in the future.