Black Teacher Job Satisfaction and Retention in the Profession: Exploring the Role of Distributed Leadership and Racial Context

• In Event: Roundtable Session 90
  In Roundtable Session: Leadership and Vision for Black Education in the 21st Century

Abstract

Recent analyses of national data have shown a high rate of turnover for Black teachers. Keeping Black teachers in education is crucial for reducing the relative shortage of Black teachers and leaders in U.S. public schools and school districts. However, few studies have focused specifically on Black teacher satisfaction and retention in the profession. The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, I present key results from a focused literature synthesis. Second, I advocate for more research on distributed leadership, teacher satisfaction and retention, and racial diversity. Participants will learn strategies for doing large-scale quantitative research in these areas. The ultimate goal of this work is to advocate for expanding Black participation in the teaching profession by reducing teacher turnover.

Author

• Ayana N. Kee, Harvard University