#BlackTeachersMatter: Black Teacher Retention and the Implications for School Leadership

• In Event: Social Justice Leadership as a Necessary Component to Public Education

Abstract

Research has consistently shown that Black teachers have an important influence on the success of Black students on various levels. Historically, Black teacher’s have a long legacy of advocating and sacrificing for the success of their Black students. Despite this influence, we find that Black teachers are severely marginalized in the teaching force and also experience heightened turnover in comparison to other teacher racial groups. Current scholarship explains that school leadership can have the most influence on teacher turnover decisions. This paper utilizes a qualitative case study design to identify the impact that school leadership has on Black teacher turnover specifically attempting to provide a nuanced perspective of the problem and tangible solutions for school leaders

Author

• Darrius Stanley, Michigan State University