ED Calls for Increased Teacher Diversity

Although students of color are expected to make up 56 percent of the student population in the year 2024, the teaching force remains predominantly white. A more diverse teaching force isn't just good for minority students; it's good for white students too, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Education, released at a national summit on teacher diversity held last week. The National Summit on Teacher Diversity, held with the support of 15 organizations including Teach for America, the American Federation of Teachers, the Albert Shanker Institute, and the National Education Association, invited 200 people working on teacher hiring and retention to hear recent research and teachers’ and students’ perspectives on diversity. They also identified concrete next steps they could take to attract and retain more teachers of color in classrooms and to remove barriers for minority college students to enter the profession. 

VOICES FROM THE CLASSROOM 

Read here about two teachers from Mastery Charter School in Philadelphia, Sterling Grimes (left) and Robert Parker, who recently attended a Teach to Lead Summit as part of their work with the Black Male Educator Convening’s ”Fellowship” to change the narrative and support more Black men in educating the next generation. “Now, when people learn that we are Black male educators in Philadelphia, the looks of admiration we receive could rival those offered the President. Research shows that all kids can benefit from Black men leading classrooms, yet Black male educators are still a novelty instead of the norm. At a recent Teach to Lead Summit, we were surprised by the overwhelming support for our work. It’s one thing to hear teachers from urban districts say we need more Black male teachers, but we were surprised to hear white female teachers from predominately white rural and suburban districts acknowledge the need for Black male teachers as well. As one white female teacher told us, having more Black male teachers could benefit all kids, and we agree: having a more diverse teaching force could help us all to start chipping away at the unconscious racial biases unwittingly conveyed to students…When we returned from the summit, we spoke to the most important stakeholders -- our students -- about our work to increase the number of Black male teachers. When we asked them why there was a need for Black male teachers, they were enthusiastic in their support, saying, “they would provide better examples for us young Black kids” and “they would understand us better.” Hearing these comments from my students, along with the affirmations we received from other teachers at Teach to Lead, shows the need for a more diverse teaching force and cements for us that our work with The Fellowship is on the right track.” Learn more about the Fellowship on Facebook and on Twitter @BMECFellowship.

Obama Pays Visit to 8-Year-Old Letter Writer

Eight-year-old Mari Copeny wrote to President Obama, asking for a meeting so she could share her concerns about the Flint, Mich., water crisis. He wrote back and said he was on his way. Mari says the worst part about the situation is not being able to take a bath or make Kool-Aid. In his speech, Obama said: "I would have been happy to see Mari in Washington. But when something like this happens, a young girl shouldn't have to go to Washington to be heard. I thought her President should come to Flint to meet with her" (Itkowitz, Washington Post).

Wilmington, N.C., librarian Margaret Miles went viral last month for sharing on Jeopardy! the fact that she is a "hopelessly stereotypical" cat-loving knitter. She took home more than $40,000 in winnings and gave a shoutout to librarians around the country: "Librarians are who we are because we love both answers and questions; it's a pleasure to share what we know, and even more fun to get the chance to learn something new while finding an answer to someone's question" (Sieczkowski, Huffington Post). While we're talking about librarians, check out Judy Moody author Megan McDonald's reflection on how libraries saved her life. And tune into Jeopardy! teacher week this week to answer the question: Are you smarter than a fifth grade teacher? 

White House Highlights Education Gains

President Obama credited teachers for America's higher graduation rates, higher standards, and better early education in the forward to the newly released White House report detailing the administration's achievements in K-12 education.  "At the center of all this progress are the teachers we celebrate year-round...Like those who made a difference in my life, our students’ teachers are the ones who help them discover, dream, believe in themselves, and realize the potential our nation promises," he said.

EdCamps: PD by Teachers for Teachers

At these professional development sessions, there aren't any paid consultants or researchers doing the presenting. Instead, at EdCamps, the experts are the teachers themselves, writes Richard Lee Colvin, now a managing writer at ED. These infectious, teacher-driven gatherings are low-budget affairs and the subjects of each workshop are determined by those taking part. More than 1,000 EdCamps have taken place since 2010 -- so many that there's bound to be one happening near you sometime soon (The74Million.org).

5. "Before you start your end-of-the-year countdown, remember that for some students, this means the end of hot lunch, snacks, social interaction, and a safe place" (Teacher, Connecticut).
4. "If school is preparing kids for life, shouldn't school reflect real life?" (Teacher, New York)
3. "You never forget the teacher who made an impact on your life" (Principal, Texas).
2. "Educators are in the life-changing business. As educators, we can never forget this" (Administrator, Missouri).
1. "Be wary of non-teachers who sell magic edu-bullets. Nothing can replace relationships, content knowledge, and good pedagogy" (Teacher, New York).