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February 25, 2020 Instruction & Curriculum

Black Teacher Retention Matters

  • About the Author
  • Latest Posts

About Brittany White

Brittany wears many hats including wife, educator, mentor, and friend. She has made it her life’s mission to impact the lives of others through education and service. Her passion and commitment to education earned her the privilege of being named the 2017-2018 Teacher of the Year at her school. Her mission as an educator is to facilitate students’ development, create life-long learners, and promote healthy, collaborative environments for students and educators.
  • The Learning Loss Discussion is Misguided - April 20, 2021
  • Opinion: Prepare for the Mass Teacher Exodus in Georgia and Around the Country - March 17, 2021
  • Reimagining Schools After COVID-19 - September 16, 2020
  • How Much More are Teachers Expected to Give?  - August 22, 2020
  • Considering Opening Schools in the Fall? Think Students and Teachers First. Not Adults - May 27, 2020
  • Teacher Appreciation Day: How Can Schools Appreciate Teachers Regularly? - May 8, 2020
  • 5 Free Reading Apps for Parents to Utilize - April 4, 2020
  • Best Websites for K-5 Math Virtual Education  - March 21, 2020
  • Black Teacher Retention Matters - February 25, 2020
  • Real Talk: How do you know when it is time to leave a school?  - January 30, 2020

It is that time of year. Letters of intent are being secured and contracts for the upcoming school year are being handed out. Administrators are considering personnel decisions and teachers are pondering whether or not they should return for the next school year. 

In the spirit of celebrating Black History Month, I want us to reflect on the reality that black teacher retention matters. As a black woman who has attended schools with predominantly black students AND has worked at such schools since beginning my education career, I am more than qualified to discuss this topic. 

I remember my third-grade teacher, Mrs. Brooks. Mrs. Brooks DID NOT PLAY. She was a pillar in our school and community. Well respected. She lovingly disciplined us while simultaneously providing outstanding instruction. I remember the various events throughout the school year involving food, music, displaying our class projects, and our parents. I also reflect on my fifth-grade teacher Mr. Byrd. This man taught math in such a relevant way to us! There were constant competitions in class. Mr. Byrd’s class is the reason I still love math and have always preferred teaching math to my students. He made me feel like I was a mathematician.

When I graduated with my first teaching, I was fortunate enough to work in an environment with the motto “we-all-we-got!” My principal would constantly remind us of this truth because he was well aware of the realities our students faced. Our school was a focus school for many years and had the highest transient population of students. The teachers, though not perfect by any means, were committed to providing the best educational experiences to every student in the building. 

The Current Reality

Fast forward to today, I am truly concerned with the lack of focus on retaining teachers, but especially BLACK teachers. Studies have shown time and time again the impact of black teachers on black students. We cannot miss this. Black students need black teachers. They need teachers who look like them, have the same experiences as them, who love them for who they are and not just their potential. When I visit some schools, I often see one or two black students in predominantly white classrooms. I have unfortunately witnessed these teachers constantly pointing out the negative behaviors blacks students display. It is no secret that there is a disproportionate amount of black children in special education programs. 

The US Department of Education released a report about the current state of racial diversity in the educator workplace. In 2016, about 16% of students in US schools were black, but 82% of teachers were white. 

There are many ripple effects of not having an adequate amount of black teachers in our schools. There is, unfortunately, but realistically, a racist history behind the lack of black teacher attrition. So much work needs to be done. 

What steps do you think can be taken to increase the retention of black teachers? As you reflect on your own schooling, what impact did a black teacher have on your experience?

Black Teachers

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Pulling Back the Curtain: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of the World’s Most Noble Profession The Whole Teacher Movement... We Need It Now... I Am Not Your Hero: Surviving the Educator's Savior Complex Whatever It Takes: Story of a Committed Black Teacher
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