Abstract
For many years, public education has been concerned about the number of teachers of color in public schools, the experiences of teachers of color, and the ability of teachers to understand how to be culturally competent. These concerns have been addressed by programs and projects that focus on recruiting more teachers of color, providing more coaching and mentoring, and/or professional learning. So far, none of these have made a significant difference in addressing any of these challenges. It is time to move from projects and programs and examine the fundamental structures and systems of classrooms that limit, obstruct, and hinder the ability to create workplaces that are equitable and conducive to real inclusivity. In this chapter, we narrate how the Next Education Workforce (NEW) initiative at Arizona State University is cultivating diversity and inclusion in the education workplace by rethinking and redesigning the workplace for educators, especially those from marginalized groups. In partnership with multiple districts across Arizona, NEW is rethinking educator roles and responsibilities in the workplace and their accompanying entry, induction, specialization, and advancement practices and pathways. To mitigate these challenges of the current workplace - where a single educator is responsible for an entire classroom of students - and to work toward a more equitable one, the future workplace must be redesigned so educators operate in teams. By creating teams of educators who work in real time, recognizing educators' unique expertise, and focusing on deepening and personalizing learning - whether content, pedagogical, or lived experiences - we can redesign the workplace, learning environments, and the teaching profession.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Leadership in Turbulent Times |
Subtitle of host publication | Cultivating Diversity and Inclusion in the P-12 Education Workplace |
Publisher | Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. |
Pages | 123-132 |
Number of pages | 10 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781803821993 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781803821986 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 1 2023 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Barriers
- Career advancement
- Collaboration
- Education workplace
- Entry
- Equitable workplace
- New roles
- Specialization
- Workforce design
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Social Sciences