Hispanic Teachers in the Southwest, 1940-1980: A Descriptive Profile and Comparison

• In Event: Roundtable Session 112
  In Roundtable Session: African American, Latino, and Native Peoples’ Experiences in the Mid-20th-Century United States

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to explore the demographic profile of Hispanic teachers in the Southwest from 1940-1980 and provide a descriptive comparison of Hispanic teachers with Anglo, Black, and Asian/Pacific Islander teachers utilizing IPUMS data. Findings indicate that Hispanic teacher rates rise at a steady pace in all Southwest states other than New Mexico. Correspondingly, Anglo teacher percentages fall in all states other than New Mexico, signifying the racial/ethnic diversification of the teaching force in the Southwest. Asian/Pacific Islander teacher presence is low across the Southwest, although, as expected, the greatest numbers are seen in California. Black teachers are well represented in Texas, and at greater percentages than Hispanic teachers, but not in other Southwest states.

Authors

• Sylvia L.M. Martinez, University of Colorado - Colorado Springs

• Aarti Bajaj Judd, University of Missouri - Kansas City