Black and Hispanic teachers in Pennsylvania are leaving the profession at a disproportionately high rate, citing stress, low pay, and the intrusion of politics into classrooms as major factors. Rhonda Hicks, a Black teacher in Philadelphia, loved her job but found that demands from administrators were taking a toll. She stated that while she enjoyed teaching, the pressure from higher-ups to conform to certain teaching methods was overwhelming. Hicks will soon join the growing number of Black and Hispanic teachers leaving the profession.
According to state reports, teachers, especially those of color, are leaving their jobs in increasing numbers due to stress and burnout caused by the pandemic, low pay, and political interference. In Philadelphia, where the proportion of Black teachers has been declining, many teachers of color feel an added burden to provide more for their students in a district where the majority are Black. Despite efforts to diversify the teaching workforce, about 80% of American public school teachers are white, even though white students no longer represent a majority in public schools.
In Pennsylvania, data analysis by education professor Ed Fuller reveals that Black teachers were more than twice as likely to leave the profession as white teachers after the 2021-22 school year. Hispanic and multiracial teachers had a similar ratio. Sharif El-Mekki, a former Philadelphia teacher and leader of the Center for Black Educator Development, asserts that schools need to do more than just recruit teachers of color; they need to retain them by offering opportunities to influence policies and curricula.
Teacher attrition rates among teachers of color vary across states, but they have been consistently higher compared to white teachers for the past two decades. Underfunded schools with large populations of Black and Hispanic students face additional challenges, such as more responsibilities, fewer resources, and students affected by poverty and violence. Sofia Gonzalez, a 14-year teacher of Puerto Rican heritage in Chicago-area public schools, stays in the classroom as an act of resistance against a system that was not designed for teachers and students of color.
Teachers in general have faced a tough few years, dealing with the challenges of COVID-19, distance learning, and the mental health issues of their students. Additionally, their salaries have fallen behind their college-educated peers in other professions, leading to lower morale. Data from several states, including Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Texas, and Washington, show an increase in teacher attrition rates.
Research sponsored by national teachers unions reveals that Black teachers reported higher rates of burnout and were more likely to leave their jobs compared to white teachers. Chantle Simpson, a former teacher in Frisco, Texas, described how growing expectations from administrators led to an increased workload, causing many teachers of color to leave the profession.
Efforts to address the issue include ensuring students of color have better experiences in school and providing them with opportunities to consider teaching as a career path. Retaining teachers of color also requires having Black leaders in school systems, as well as an anti-racist culture and teaching approaches.
Teacher diversity is crucial for students, as studies have shown that having a same-race teacher can significantly impact their short and long-term success. The Tennessee STAR experiment demonstrated a 9 percentage point increase in high school graduation rates for Black students who had at least one same-race teacher between kindergarten and third grade. Same-race teachers contribute to improved outcomes for minority students by having higher expectations and a deeper cultural understanding.
While some states, such as Georgia and Florida, have relatively high teacher diversity rates, the overall national average of teachers of color is 16%. States like Delaware, Tennessee, Virginia, and Illinois fall close to the average, while New Hampshire, Nebraska, and Vermont have the lowest teacher diversity rates.
Improving teacher diversity and retention is crucial for providing students with role models who understand their culture and life experiences. It is essential to address the stress, low pay, and political interference that are causing teachers of color to leave the profession at higher rates.
Original Story at dailyprogress.com – 2023-08-05 13:30:00
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