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Those who take on the responsibility of passing knowledge to the younger generations have always been crucial to society. But while everyone knows a teacher’s importance, they might easily overlook the value of a Black teacher, especially in education.
Yes, teachers remain a solid part of the building blocks of every civilization and fulfill an irreplaceable role in every person’s life. But if they have so much effect on the coming generations, shouldn’t we pay more attention to the ones who collectively have displayed more influence according to several research results?
Fortunately, more people are beginning to understand this perspective and have started pushing for society to genuinely recognize the value of a Black teacher. In that case, what hard facts back the worth of these tutors of color?
Most Likely To Brave Workplace Challenges
A few years back, Betty Achinstein led a team of researchers who found out that teachers of color have a higher tendency to stay and teach at ‘hard to staff’ schools. This research supported the fact that allowing more diversity in the teaching profession can lead to stability in urban schools and areas with significant low-income populations.
Generally, no one wants to remain in a workplace where they face too many obstacles. However, Black teachers constantly show their dedication to the profession by being the ones to undertake the more difficult challenges.
This feeds right into the next point which takes a look closer to the actual work environment- the school.
An Improvement In Student Behaviour
Everyone can recall that one teacher whose presence or words made every student behave properly. In some cases, it could be more than one teacher. Nevertheless, they get the job done by making students comply all the time.
A quick survey across schools with teachers of different races shows that the tutor who draws obedience from students most times is a Black teacher or person of color. Sometimes, other tutors approach them to enlist their help in getting a student to behave appropriately.
Not only do they have this influence over all students, but there is a significantly higher tendency for Black kids to listen and behave when the teacher is also Black.
One can draw a straight line from this discovery to the reduction in the number of student suspensions in schools with several Black teachers. The reason is that when students behave properly, there is little reason to give a punishment of such magnitude.
This goes to show that the value of a Black teacher extends as far as instilling discipline and reducing the frequency at which Black kids get suspended.
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Better Performance On Standardized Test Scores
Speaking of Black students behaving appropriately, Thomas Dee, a Standford University Researcher, found out that Black male and female students who scored 3-6 percentile points higher on standardized tests in reading had a Black teacher while those who scored less did not. The researcher also found similar results in the math scores of Black students who were taught by a Black teacher.
Such a finding points to the fact that students of color feel more comfortable and inclined to learn and perform better when taught by a teacher of color too. One could say it is because of a sense of relatability or a case of tutor expertise, but no one can deny that these students perform better under the guidance and tutelage of a Black teacher.
Higher Chances Of Black Students Graduating
With an increase in the performance of Black students when taught by a Black teacher, there will always be a rise in the chances of these scholars graduating. Academic success directly translates to finishing and graduating with peers at the right time and the result is the same in this case.
Generally, Black students have a higher tendency to drop out of school and not graduate. But this happens when a Black teacher is not present most of the time. In situations where the scholar has access to a teacher of color, they almost always end up getting serious with their academics, graduate, and eventually go on to make a positive impact in society.
Now that schools know this, every Black student deserves access to a Black teacher. If not for anything, but to help them maximize their academic potential.
Higher Student Expectations
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Back in 2016, economics Professor Seth Gershenson, from American University, and his colleagues found out that teachers are not immune to racial bias.
Their research revealed that when assessing the same set of African American students, White teachers had 40 percent less belief in the students completing high school and a low chance of them graduating from college. On the other hand, African American teachers had more faith in the students. Interestingly, Black female teachers displayed the most belief in their Black Male students, predicting that they would not only finish high school but also go on to complete a four-year college program.
How can a person teach or tutor a student in whom they have zero faith? Every successful teacher demonstrates a healthy level of belief in their students, whether for academic greatness or general excellence.
To wrap up, the educational value of a Black teacher is so high that schools cannot afford to do without them. The system needs more of these tutors since their influence and benefits are not limited to Black Students.
Furthermore, Black teachers have experienced racism and know what it entails in every facet of society. This makes them the best option to dismantle and dissolve racism in the hearts of the younger generations. No one is born with these perceptions, they learn them as they grow. Therefore, the best way to combat it is to neutralize it in the early stages through teaching and mentoring, two attributes that you will find in all teachers.
One teacher can influence so many minds, making them one of the most effective personnel to guide society’s future. If you want a better tomorrow for the country, it starts with knowing the value of a Black teacher.
