Prompt 1
What does it mean to be an educator of color in today’s schools?
— April Washington
autonomy
Transitioning to a new position can be a challenging experience, but it can also be an opportunity for growth and personal development. By having more autonomy in my day-to-day work environment, I can schedule my day as needed without worrying about finding coverage for my class when I need to do something as simple as using the restroom.
— Jenn Bartley
running in place
Having vision, commitment and desire to be an agent of change- as a teacher of Color isn’t always enough. Red tape, rigid policies and limited resources (in low-income schools) serve as the anchor which can keep teachers in place. Always in perpetual motion but never gaining momentum or moving ahead…simply running in place.
— Angela Couch
Team work
This is our District Wide Mentor team. We teach in all of the grade bands. We bounce ideas off of each other. Without them what I do would be very difficult without each perspective. I am truly grateful for them. We are truly all hands on-deck for each other.
— Lenora Keel
importance of giving voice
The importance of collaboration and support among staff of color. My sisters and I can always rely on them to work with and support students and each other.
— “Grace Zheng”
diverse representations
These are some of the languages the students in my school speak. For me as an educator of Color, it is the realization and the honor of being an educator with whom some of my students can identify. I remember what it felt like, for me as a child, to have a teacher who looked like me and shared the same