This mixed method research study explored how teachers as a social support and classroom participation enhance at-risk middle school African American male students' socialization skills. The middle school African American male student is a segment of the U.S. population who has special concerns with regard to educational issues. To educators, parents, and other concerned members of society, it has been a continuous campaign trying to determine how to best motivate academic achievement for this at-risk group. Current research shows that African American male students are more likely to be placed in special education classes, drop out of school, and be perpetrators and victims of violent crimes. Academically and behaviorally, at-risk middle school African American male students perform poorly in school, display poor social skills, and have poor relationships with their parents. The study observed some middle school teachers working as a social support to attempt to meet the socialization needs of at-risk middle school African American male students. In addition, the data collected in this study was analyzed to determine how teachers as a social support for African American male students enhance their socialization skills through classroom participation. For school to determine a proper balance between academic and socialization activities for at-risk middle school African American male students, it is recommended that (a) educational reform efforts examine the relationship of socialization processes to learning; (b) the students have an opportunity to voice their concerns that affect them academically, behaviorally, and socially; (c) schools develop more creative ways of engaging parents of at-risk students in the educational process of their children; (d) social support systems for at-risk middle school students be available; (e) schools partner with community agencies and mentors to address the needs of the at-risk students and their families; and (f) the roles of schools, students, and parents are clearly articulated to each group.