Four teachers share their personal experiences and challenges as teachers of color in predominantly white educational settings. They cite specific examples of bias, micro-aggressions, and the feeling of being both invisible and hyper-visible in the educational system. They confess to not feeling truly valued or acknowledged for their contributions. Turning to solutions, the group pointed to the need for districts to take more proactive steps to support teachers of color. This includes more robust recruiting and retention processes, increased leadership diversity, training on implicit biases, and the significance of fostering a genuine culture of inclusion and appreciation. The conversation wrapped with reflections on questions white administrators can ask themselves to support educators of color better.

Follow on Twitter: @janicewyattross @RachelEdohoEket @Laleh114000 @klrembert @larryferlazzo@jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork

Read related article on Edweek

Dr. Janice Wyatt-Ross has a Bachelor’s in Special Education from the University of Central Arkansas, a Master’s in Special Education from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a Doctorate in Urban Educational Leadership from the University of Cincinnati. Presently she is employed as the Program Director for Success Academy of Fayette County Public Schools.

Laleh Ghotbi Salt Lake City School District // 4th grade – Utah Teacher Fellow since 2021. Laleh started her teaching career in 1992 in Iran, where she taught in middle and high school for 7 years and worked as an academic coach at the school district for the next two year. In August 2000, she came to the United States with her husband and their 8-year-old son. Since then, she has worked as an Academic Enhancement Coordinator at Indian Hills Elementary for two years and earned two masters’ degrees; Master of Science and Technology-Biotechnology from the University of Utah, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Westminster College where she graduated with honors and was chosen as the student speaker for the 2017 commencement.

Keisha Rembert is a passionate learner and fierce equity advocate. She is an award-winning educator who taught middle school ELA and United States History teacher for many years and now instructs future educators. She hopes to change our world one student at a time.

Dr. Edoho-Eket has been a public school educator for 18 years and currently serves as Principal of a top ranked elementary school in Maryland. She is the author of the newly released book titled: The Principal’s Journey: Navigating the Path to School Leadership.