Lisa Staiger and Dr. Camille Brandt Participated in Increasing Teacher Diversity in Minnesota conference
Dr. Camille Brandt and Lisa Staiger, School of Teaching and Learning, participated in the Increasing Teacher Diversity in Minnesota: An Ongoing Community Conversation and Call to Action with more than 200 other people from more than organizations, school districts, institutions and various racial/ethnic communities throughout the state (see attached list). The event was held Saturday, Feb. 6 at Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC).
Participants united around a common goal to double the current number of teachers of color in the state by 2020, and ensure that 20% of candidates in the teacher preparation pipeline are people of color and American Indian. Nearly 30 percent of students in Minnesota schools are students of color and American Indian students, yet 4 percent of their teachers are of color or American Indian. The gap is much wider in many Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota schools with a majority of students of color and American Indian students.
Ideas for action to address barriers to the profession for people of color and American Indians were developed in the following areas:
• Increasing pathways for diverse youth, paraprofessionals and career changers to enter the teaching profession
• Eliminating discriminatory teacher testing requirements
• Providing scholarship incentives and student teaching stipends
• Providing induction and retention support
• Offering loan forgiveness for teaching service
• Making changes to ensure curriculum and instruction are culturally relevant
The event was supported by Governor Dayton who wrote to participants “The strategies that come out of today’s conversations will help move Minnesota forward and help enhance the educational experiences of all students across the state.”