PeopleBench’s Post

These findings are quite surprising. I wonder if the data has been disaggregated by school type (urban, suburban, and rural) and length of service. I can see teachers that have been in the field for 7 or more years matching the data. Those that leave in the first 5 or less not so much. It would be interesting to survey those that left. While those of us who remain have hope and are mission driven there is still much work to be done. One other point in this article I found surprising is the feeling respected response. The level of respect contemporary Black teachers receive is nowhere near what it has been historically. Education and teaching have lost value as a source of cultural capital in the Black community for a variety of reasons.

Educators, it’s time to crunch the numbers and face the facts! Black teachers are superheroes for Black students. Research throws down some undeniable stats! Black teachers = Higher test scores, stronger belonging, and college dreams taking flight for Black students. (Think Black Panther graduation rates, not detention!) Why the magic? Black teachers believe in their students’ potential, build positive connections, and expect greatness. (It’s the “we see you, we believe in you” effect.) Black teachers still only make up 6% of the public school workforce! That’s a representation crisis bigger than a misplaced decimal point. And guess what? Many teachers are leaving the field altogether. The question isn’t “self-care for Black teachers?” It’s “how do we stop the exodus?” Before we jump to solutions, let’s diagnose the problem. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we dissect the reasons behind this teacher flight and brainstorm ways to keep these superheroes in our classrooms! Thoughts?🤔 #BlackBrillianceInTheClassroom #RepresentationMatters #EquityInEducation #BeyondSelfCare #TeacherRetentionRevolution #NumbersDontLie #BlackStudentSuccess #EmpoweringEducators #StayTuned https://lnkd.in/dh9huVtV

Black teachers have highest job-related morale Black teachers have one of the highest rates of turnover in the profession, but they also have the highest job-related morale, according to the Education Week State of Teaching survey. While Black teachers make up just 6.1% of the workforce, they find their work meaningful and fulfilling. However, the challenges of working in a predominantly white field and the all-encompassing dedication to students can push them out of the classroom prematurely. The survey found that Black teachers have a morale score of +5, suggesting they feel more positively than negatively about their jobs. Experts attribute this higher morale to the wider societal context and the broader Black experience. Having Black teachers in classrooms is important, as it benefits students of all races and ethnicities. However, Black teachers often face burnout due to the pressures of the job and the extra unpaid tasks they take on. To retain Black educators, administrators need to create conditions that make them feel respected, fulfilled, and effective. Stay ahead of the latest news and trends impacting the education world: ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dyhRncr8 #StateOfTeaching #TeachersMorale #teachers #teaching

🔍 The Disconnect in Higher Education Representation It's essential to address a critical issue in higher education: the assumption that all Black men share the same experiences simply based on their race. Having a doctorate and being Black doesn't automatically mean one can relate to the struggles of kids from the hood. Growing up in the suburbs is a vastly different experience from navigating life in inner-city neighborhoods. Higher education institutions often place individuals who are the "face" of diversity without considering the depth of their understanding and connection to the communities they represent. This superficial approach fails Black men from disadvantaged backgrounds by not providing relatable and empathetic role models who truly understand their struggles. We need educators and leaders who have walked similar paths and can offer genuine guidance and support. It's time for higher education to move beyond tokenism and embrace authentic representation. Only then can we create a more inclusive and effective educational environment for all. #HigherEducation #RepresentationMatters #DiversityInEducation #AuthenticLeadership #EquityInEducation #BlackLivesMatter

Mentorship matters. When I transitioned to Howard University in 2020, one of the first people to embrace me was Dr. Kmt Shockley, Professor of Educational Administration and Policy Studies. Dr. Kmt Shockley is a scholar in African Centered Education, and he has conducted award winning research on the education of Black children. My first magazine article at HU SOE, published by the National Association of Secondary School Principals Principal Magazine, was co-written with Dr. Shockley. It was titled, “3 Strategies to Correct the Historical Challenges of Recruiting and Retaining Black Teachers”. Here are 3 nuggets: Systemically teach Black culture: Give more than lip service on DEI. Incorporate the direct teaching of Black culture into all aspects of your school program. Make space for Black voices: Empower people of color in your school district by directly seeking their voices and responding to what you hear. Clarify your mission: Center people of color and commit to addressing historical inequities. Correcting historical inequities takes intentional action. If you want to recruit and retain Black people and other people of color, show them you respect them by listening, responding, and committing to improving outcomes for them. School districts must not only promote people of color, but they must also support them when they are in the roles by affirming their cultures and making a space for their voices, which may provide different perspectives from the dominant white culture. Districts must also commit to actively improving outcomes for staff, families, and communities of color. Bottom line: We can recruit more Black teachers and teachers of color if our actions show that we see, hear, and value them. You can read the article here: https://lnkd.in/di9yA6fH  #MindsetMonday #FindingtheJosephWithin #Wearetheanswer

Please read my op-ed and share the importance of more Black educators.

As educators, we have the immense responsibility and privilege of shaping the future of all our students. However, when it comes to Black students, there’s a unique set of challenges and opportunities that we must consciously address. The achievement gap, systemic biases, and a lack of representation in the curriculum are issues that we can’t afford to ignore. Empowering Black students starts with creating a classroom environment where they feel seen, heard, and valued. This means integrating culturally relevant pedagogy, advocating for equitable resources, and challenging stereotypes that may unconsciously influence our expectations. But it doesn't stop there. We must also strive to build strong relationships with families and communities, understanding that education extends beyond the classroom walls. It’s about listening to their stories, respecting their experiences, and collaborating to support every child's journey. The success of Black students is not just about academic achievement—it's about nurturing their confidence, resilience, and sense of self-worth. When we work together to create an inclusive, affirming educational experience, we unlock the potential in every student, paving the way for a brighter future. Let’s continue to challenge the status quo and commit to doing the work necessary to ensure that our Black students thrive—not just survive. #Education #Equity #BlackStudentsMatter #EducationalLeadership #Inclusion #CulturallyResponsiveTeaching #BlackExcellence

Congratulations Sharif El-Mekki and the team Center for Black Educator Development! The Anti-racists Guide to Teacher Retention is such a valuable tool to understand how schools systems must change in order to attract and retain Black teachers and teachers of color. In the education sector, especially when discussing retention, "support" is a commonly used term; one that's not well-defined. I appreciate that the guide provides critical questions advisory teams should consider to reflect on the "support" given to Black teachers (page 22): ❓How do you (or how will you) ensure educators of color will succeed at your school? ❓How are educators of color supported to become educator-activists? ❓How are they welcomed and onboarded? ❓How are they respected and cared for? ❓How do you value the expertise of educators of color? How do you demonstrate this? ❓How and when do you check in with educators of color to learn their views on school climate and conditions, and their plans for the next school year? ❓How are they provided with high-quality and meaningful coaching or mentoring support, as well as professional development and fellowship opportunities? I, humbly, add a few additional thoughts for consideration: ❓How is professional learning, including coaching, personalized for educators? ❓How are educators empowered with voice, choice and agency to guide their own professional learning? ❓How diverse are your coaches or mentors? Can educators work with a coach or mentor that has shared, lived-experiences? I strongly believe that until school systems center professional learning on the professional, we'll continue to get it wrong, especially for Black educators. It's why I started Ribbit Learning Company because educators deserve to be treated like professional and empowered to engage in support that feels like support, from another educator they choose. I encourage my colleagues to utilize these excellent tools to start their own journey to implementing anti-racists teacher retention strategies: https://lnkd.in/gSxZwahd

According to respondents, one of the most impactful ways to affirm Black educators and students would be creating an affinity group for Black educators (68%) and creating spaces and opportunities for Black students to come together (70%). What are your thoughts? How do we foster more environments for Black Educators? https://lnkd.in/eaNK4zrU

👏🏾Today, on Black Teacher Appreciation Day, we #ThankABlackTeacher by sharing our Remix EQ Live #Education Playlist. Press play to listen and learn from innovative education leaders about how they make the world a more just place. https://lnkd.in/esPFfeda As you watch or listen to each episode, 🛠️ Add examples, strategies, and tools to your repertoire. 🔗 Connect to and visualize the important work being performed. 💡 Learn from and with guests about the experiences of the people and places they serve. ✨ Be inspired to make the world a more just place. —- 🎙️ The Remix EQ Live Education Playlist ▶️ EDUCATION 👉🏾 Venola Mason & Michael O'Neal discuss how to build equitable relationships and learning communities with students, teachers, and families. ▶️ ANTI-RACIST LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATION 👉🏾 Dr. Tracey Benson discusses how he supports educational leaders to enact anti-racist practices in schools. ▶️ BLACK MALE LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATION 👉🏾 Ayodele Harrison & Dr. Christopher Small, PhD, discuss opportunities to invite and support Black men to cultivate their leadership in schools and beyond. ▶️ IN PURSUIT OF EQUITY IN EDUCATION FOR BLACK & BROWN CHILDREN 👉🏾 Josh Edelman discusses centering equity when investing in and partnering for more equitable educational outcomes. ▶️ PHILANTHROPY 👉🏾 Dr. Angela DeBarger discusses why investing in open education resources are key to empowering students and teachers within their learning communities. ▶️ LEARNING 👉🏾 Erika D. Tate, PhD discusses indicators and examples of instructional equity in classrooms and schools. ▶️ ACCESS TO INNOVATIVE DIGITAL LEARNING 👉🏾 Jean-Claude Brizard & Dr. Nichole Pinkard discuss how to increase access and sustain participation in STEM and digital learning among youth who’ve been historically and systematically excluded. ▶️ INTERSECTIONAL PERSPECTIVES IN COMPUTING 👉🏾 Yolanda Rankin, PhD & Jakita Owensby Thomas, Ph.D., discuss how they apply Black Feminist Epistemologies to learn about and support Black women in computing education and careers. ▶️ INVESTING IN EQUITABLE EDUCATION 👉🏾 Dr. Jillian Whatley discusses implicit bias and shares anti-bias strategies to improve educational outcomes for Black and Brown children. #SocialJusticeWarriors #teacherappreciationweek #EquityinEducation #SocialJustice