Critical Race Theory Analysis of the Pre-K–12 Teacher-Student "Demographic Diversity" Gap: College Students of Color Speak Truth

• In Event: 15.024 - Challenging Beliefs: Critical Race Analysis of Teacher Work

Abstract

This paper examines the perceptions of college Students of Color about the teaching profession using a CRT lens. Focus group interview data from an IRB reviewed and approved study reveal that college Students of Color are not interested in pursuing careers in teaching because: 1) they feel that teachers are underpaid and undervalued by society; 2) they recognize that teachers are negatively represented, and that Teachers of Color are un/derrepresented, in media and popular culture; and, 3) the cumulative negative impact of the racial macroaggressions they experienced over the course of their PK-12 schooling has discouraged them from considering teaching as a profession.

Authors

• Christine Clark, University of Nevada - Las Vegas

• Norma A Marrun, University of Nevada - Las Vegas

• Tara J Plachowski, University of Nevada - Las Vegas