Educator Diversity
Having access to educators and school leaders of color is an essential driver of improved academic outcomes, social-emotional well-being, and cultural consciousness for students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Although New York State is home to one of the most diverse student populations in the country, the makeup of the state’s educator and school leader workforce is majority White, failing to reflect our students, who are mostly of color. Many students of color do not have access to educators or leaders of the same race or ethnicity as them.
Ensuring access to educators who are well-prepared, supported, and reflective of students of color is essential to improving equity and opportunity in New York State’s schools.
Our Equity-Centered Approach
As the first organization to provide a statewide view of educators and leaders of color, we analyze data on educator and school leader diversity, and retention and recruitment of teachers of color. To close persistent gaps in representation across the state, we work alongside our partners from the New York Equity Coalition to advocate for equitable policies and opportunities to cultivate more educators and school leaders of color to reflect student diversity in schools.
Latest Resource
Brief: Celebrating progress on educator diversity in New York State
Our latest report on educator diversity draws lessons from how the New York State Education Department (NYSED), local school districts, institutions of higher education, schools, and advocates are working toward improving educator diversity and retaining teachers of color.
Featured Resources and Reports Over the Years
Report: Representation Matters
Resource: Educator Diversity Playbook
Student Voice: A Natural Connection and an Outlet
A Teacher's Perspective: Why I Teach
Data Snapshot
of schools in New York State do not have any school leaders of color.
Black and Latinx students attend schools without teachers of the same race.
More Resources
EdTrust-New York identifies key education equity investments in Gov. Hochul’s 2023 State of the State proposal
Our analysis of Governor Hochul’s 2023 State of the State proposal identified a number of critical investments that will help to support New York’s children and families beginning at birth through college and into the workforce.
Representation Matters
Despite bodies of research that show access to diverse teachers is important for all students and efforts to improve diversity across New York State, this new analysis shows that between the 2018-2019 and 2021-2022 school years New York failed to move the needle in cultivating a more diverse teacher workforce.
Why I Teach: Believe In Their Abilities
BELIEVE IN THEIR ABILITIES Maria Rios Castillo, New York City “THEY CAN TAKE THE PATH THAT I CHOSE — THE PATH THAT IS MORE DIFFICULT, BUT ULTIMATELY FAR MORE REWARDING.” There are many reasons why I became a teacher. For a better understanding, I need to go back to...
Why I Teach: It’s My Responsibility
IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY Kia Debnam, Buffalo “I TEACH BECAUSE IT IS MY GIFT AND MY RESPONSIBILITY.” Why do I teach? I teach to empower; to give all children the efficacy to make informed, world changing decisions. I teach to model the capacity to be a figure of...
Why I Teach: Building a Community
BUILDING A COMMUNITY J. Miguel Jiménez, New York City “TEACHING FOR ME IS A HOPE TO FOSTER AND BUILD A COMMUNITY FOR ALL OF MY STUDENTS — BUT ESPECIALLY TO KEEP THE CANDLE BURNING FOR THOSE WHO ARE OUT THERE SEARCHING FOR THEIR TRIBE.” When asked what information he...
Why I Teach: Finding Their Moment
FINDING THEIR MOMENT Mary Gilbert, Rochester “THERE IS THIS THING, THIS FEELING THAT STUDENTS GET WHEN THEY REALIZE THAT THEY ARE PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER, GRANDER.” I remember a conversation that I had with one of the vice presidents of a local university. This was...