Minority teachers increase in K-12

But growth lags behind rise of Black, Hispanic students statewide

Connecticut K-12 schools have seen a steady increase in minority educators over the last five years, as have state teacher preparation programs, but the increases are still not enough to result in a larger share of Black and Hispanic students being taught by a teacher of color.

That’s because the number of minority students is increasing at a faster rate than the number of minority teachers.

During Wednesday’s state Board of Education meeting, officials said Connecticut should be able to reach its goal of a 10% minority teaching staff by 2021. In October 2015, minority teachers accounted for 8.3% of the total teaching roster; that percentage rose to 9.6% by October 2019, officials said.

Board member Karen DuBois-Walton said she hopes increased teacher diversity will be represented across all schools in the state rather than just districts with significant minority populations.

The state Department of Education’s Chief Talent Officer Shuana Tucker agreed and said that while the state has no say in the local hiring process, it has been providing districts with resources so they can “diversify their talent pool.”

“All students benefit from positive exposure to individuals from a variety of races and ethnic groups, especially in childhood,” Tucker said. “Which can help to reduce stereotypes, decrease unconscious implicit biases and help promote cross-cultural social bonds.”

The upward trend in educators of color is in part due to the state’s collaboration with various teacher preparedness programs over the years like Educators