1
Lack of Diversity in the Teacher Workforce
Jennifer L Hernandez
University of North Georgia
Abstract As a nation, America is considered to be a “melting pot” of different cultures, and backgrounds. Today, especially, it is important to value the different perspectives that come with people of different backgrounds and recognize their efforts and contributions to society, such as education. Within recent years, there has been a lack of diversity in the teacher workforce despite there being a high demand for them due to the growing diversity among students.
Introduction
Throughout the past couple of decades, lack of diversity among the teacher workforce has been a major issue in the field of …show more content…
Factors such as segregation and racism made it difficult to integrate schools in the past. The landmark Supreme Court case of Brown v. Board of Education ultimately declared that the segregation of African-American and white students was unconstitutional. Regionally speaking, the north and south had different outcomes due to mandated desegregation. “Mandated desegregation created conditions that resulted in decreases in the black teaching force in the South. The opposite occurred in the nonsouth, with mandated desegregation positively associated with increases (although small) in the black teaching force.” (Oakley, Stowell, Logan, 2009). This topic definitely has a history beyond Georgia, as it was an issue that affected students and teachers during that time period and still affects the entire nation today. It is an issue that is still changing slowly over time. Slowly, the field of education is including teachers of different backgrounds, however, it is still is not enough. Lack of diversity among the teacher workforce is something that directly affects the students. “This lack of diversity in teachers in the United States is hurting the chances of success for students of color and for those who have limited English proficiency. “(McClung, Ott, Som, …show more content…
It is important to incorporate programs that are going to promote and encourage diversity.
References
McClung, X., Ott, K. D., & Som, Y. M. (2008). Diversity in Education: Addressing the Shortage of Minority Teachers in the U.S. International Journal Of Diversity In Organisations,
Communities & Nations, 8(2), 277-280.
Graham, E. (2014). NEA Report: Lack of Teacher Diversity Jeopardizes Student Achievement –
NEA Today. Retrieved April 04, 2016, from http://neatoday.org/2014/05/16/nea-report-lack-of-teacher-diversity-jeopardizes-student-achievement-2/
Oakley, D., Stowell, J., & Logan, J. R. (n.d.). The impact of desegregation on black teachers in the metropolis, 1970–2000. Retrieved April 04, 2016, from
Lack of Diversity in the Teacher Workforce
Jennifer L Hernandez
University of North Georgia
Abstract As a nation, America is considered to be a “melting pot” of different cultures, and backgrounds. Today, especially, it is important to value the different perspectives that come with people of different backgrounds and recognize their efforts and contributions to society, such as education. Within recent years, there has been a lack of diversity in the teacher workforce despite there being a high demand for them due to the growing diversity among students.
Introduction
Throughout the past couple of decades, lack of diversity among the teacher workforce has been a major issue in the field of …show more content…
Factors such as segregation and racism made it difficult to integrate schools in the past. The landmark Supreme Court case of Brown v. Board of Education ultimately declared that the segregation of African-American and white students was unconstitutional. Regionally speaking, the north and south had different outcomes due to mandated desegregation. “Mandated desegregation created conditions that resulted in decreases in the black teaching force in the South. The opposite occurred in the nonsouth, with mandated desegregation positively associated with increases (although small) in the black teaching force.” (Oakley, Stowell, Logan, 2009). This topic definitely has a history beyond Georgia, as it was an issue that affected students and teachers during that time period and still affects the entire nation today. It is an issue that is still changing slowly over time. Slowly, the field of education is including teachers of different backgrounds, however, it is still is not enough. Lack of diversity among the teacher workforce is something that directly affects the students. “This lack of diversity in teachers in the United States is hurting the chances of success for students of color and for those who have limited English proficiency. “(McClung, Ott, Som, …show more content…
It is important to incorporate programs that are going to promote and encourage diversity.
References
McClung, X., Ott, K. D., & Som, Y. M. (2008). Diversity in Education: Addressing the Shortage of Minority Teachers in the U.S. International Journal Of Diversity In Organisations,
Communities & Nations, 8(2), 277-280.
Graham, E. (2014). NEA Report: Lack of Teacher Diversity Jeopardizes Student Achievement –
NEA Today. Retrieved April 04, 2016, from http://neatoday.org/2014/05/16/nea-report-lack-of-teacher-diversity-jeopardizes-student-achievement-2/
Oakley, D., Stowell, J., & Logan, J. R. (n.d.). The impact of desegregation on black teachers in the metropolis, 1970–2000. Retrieved April 04, 2016, from