From Cultural Responsiveness to Cultural Affirmation

My View

People often are surprised to hear that as a student in the New York City Public Schools, I had no black teachers. Because of that lack of representation, I enrolled in North Carolina A&T State University, an historically black college, where I learned and felt the benefits of a culturally affirming education.

Students of color comprise more than half of the student population in public elementary and secondary schools nationwide. However, teachers of color represent only about 20 percent of the teaching force. A diverse teaching staff benefits all students, yet we have not adequately diversified our nation’s teaching force.

Research shows that teachers of color provide more culturally relevant instruction and develop stronger rapport with students of color. They also hold more positive expectations of students of color compared to their white counterparts.

Clearly, schools must make diversifying the teaching force a primary goal, but they must go further — they must change the way educators teach students of color by incorporating culturally affirming strategies.