TeachingInColor FINAL DIGITALPages - Flipbook - Page 30
“I know I don’t look like it, but I now have kids of
Bartlett’s tenure as a teacher of color has meant
students that I taught at South Robeson that are at my
providing access to students who may not get that
school now,” he says with pride making the corners of
otherwise, especially when so many students of color are
his eyes purse into a smile. “I have students that I taught
not regularly recommended for advanced or gifted classes.
who are teachers now. I am now on my second assistant
principal who is becoming a principal now.”
“Not that it’s malicious or on purpose,” she says, “but
it happens.”
Phi Delta Kappan, a professional journal for educators,
Her work centers on looking for sparks of genius that
released reports that while the academic gains made by
may go unnoticed by others and connecting students with
students of color who have teachers of color are notable,
opportunities to have that genius continue to grow.
there are many other positive impacts such as strong
For her students that could mean signing up for Honors
mentoring, more referrals for gifted programs and less
classes or going with her to historically black colleges and
referrals for discipline, and increased student confidence
universities, like nearby Elizabeth City State, to walk the
and empowerment.
campus and meet students and professors of color who
For Colina Bartlett, an AIG facilitator for Elizabeth
look like them and are excelling academically.
City-Pasquotank Public Schools, her 20 years teaching
“You have to expose them,” Bartlett said. “As teachers,
have included many of those
we are being that voice,
milestones for her students.
having that seat at the table for
She vividly remembers the
day she suggested a rising
eighth grader, whom many
overlooked, take Math I versus
waiting another year. The
course is commonly seen as
a gateway to the college prep
pipeline.
“I watched him for two
Postive Impacts of Teachers
of Color Include:
Achievement In Math & Reading
Higher Graduation Rates
Increased Academic Outcomes
Strong Mentoring
years,” she says. Seeing his
More Referrals For Gifted Programs
potential, she recalls pulling
Less Referrals for Discipline
him to the side and saying,
“I want you to take Math I. I’ve
already talked to your mom
Increased Student Confidence
and Empowerment
The Hunt Institute
about it.” He seemed hesitant
students of color are getting
the same opportunities that
other students are having.”
Those opportunities and
the support that gets students
to better opportunities can
lead to a lifetime of change
for students. They are also a
lifeline for educators.
“There is nothing more
fulfilling than to be able to
play a small part and impact a
person’s life,” Principal Barton
says. “I wish I could tell you it
at first but enrolled.
Recently, she visited an 11th grade math classroom and
students of color so that our
was easy and that I loved every
moment of every day. It’s absolutely not true, because I
there he was. “He’s in Honors Math class to this day, she
don’t, but ultimately in this role when I speak as a Native
says, adding, “And now his brother is here.”
teacher and speak about my teachers who are Native, it’s
She will be watching for his potential just as she has
done for countless students before, and nurturing it to
its next phase. This past school year she coached three
students of color in a state essay competition. “I was just so
proud,” she said. I told them, look, you want to be a writer
enter these contests….you get your name out there for
the most challenging thing I’ve ever done but one of the
most rewarding for sure.
Microaggressions and
misplaced expectations
everything”
Between the early starts that can lead to long days and the
demands of designing and implementing curriculum, being
a teacher is never easy. But teachers of color have to face
an added layer.
