When minority teachers start their positions in K12 schools, it's exciting! New teachers have an opportunity to change the world by using practicum experiences and everyday teachable moments. Most of the teachers I know genuinely want to change the world but once we arrive in predominantly white schools we are faced with adversity. On one hand, we are excited about our job opportunity and on the other hand, teachers struggle with the appropriate mentorship, finding colleagues that share similar cultural beliefs, and the heavy lifting of extra tasks and duties of being a minority teacher.

Mentorship is key when starting a new position. Teachers want someone to support them in their journey. Luckily, I had someone to help me with onboarding, my first school offered comprehensive support early on, which included professional development, mentoring, and ongoing coaching and feedback. Yet, some are not so lucky. According to the Learning Policy Institute lack of support for new teachers continues to be the reason why teachers leave, “New teachers who do not receive mentoring and other supports leave at more than two times the rate of those who do.” Yes, having a minority mentor helped when I made the transition; today the mentorship continues to progress.

Having a diverse staff helps as well. It can get lonely when you are the only minority teacher at your school site but if you have a robust minority staff then that can be a true benefit to you and the school. Minority teachers help in developing initiatives that support students, creating programs that help families, and may inform policies that can develop the school create student growth. “A more diverse teaching workforce may include higher expectations for minority students and racially diverse teachers having more cultural sensitivity, even translating into an instructional context that minority students are better able to relate to.” (Vercelletto)

Even though I had a mentor and a supportive staff sometimes I did do not feel valued. I remember when I moved to my second school, which was predominantly white. I was the only African American teacher on staff. Anytime we had a difficult parent or student I was always called on to support the situation. Also, in staff meetings, all staff would refer to me as the all-knowing expert on anything that had to do with culture, diversity, or inclusion. Education Drive states, “many black and Latino educators feel that they're not valued, finding frustration at being expected to take on extra duties without compensation or even the necessary support systems.” At my second school, I always went above and beyond to support the school but life was exhausting and due to the lack of diversity and shortage of minority teachers, I struggled to support the school needs on a day to day basis.

I have enjoyed all of my experiences but by far much of my learning was in my first five years of teaching in the classroom. After 17 years of being in education, I still talk to my mentor, advocate for more minority teachers, and work hard to ensure that my colleagues feel valued. I will always be an advocate for minority representation in schools and I hope that we provide the support they need to stay and advocate for others.

References:

Education Drive- http://www.educationaldrive.com/

Christina Vercelletto   https://www.educationdive.com/news/educators-of-color-bring-numerous-benefits-to-students-while-facing-daily-c/524544/

Learning Policy Institute - https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/Teacher_Exodus_Infographic.pdf

Huffington Post- https://www.huffpost.com/entry/student-teacher-demographics_n_5738888

The Colorado Trust-https://www.coloradotrust.org/content/story/colorado-schools-not-enough-black-teachers