The Lived Experiences of Educators of Color: Navigating Racialized School Climate

• In Event: Teachers of Color: Experiences Along the Pipeline

Abstract

Representing approximately 20% of the workforce (U.S. Department of Education, 2016), educators of color (EOC) are leaving the field at a rate 25% higher than their White counterparts (Easton-Brooks, 2013). Despite workforce diversification efforts, few studies investigate the psychosocial consequences of navigating racialized school climate as a reason EOC may leave the workforce (Kohli, 2018). Applying a critical quantitative research design, we examined factors that link racialized school climate to the job satisfaction and psychological well-being of EOC. Findings indicate that a racialized school climate has a significant, direct effect on EOC’s race-based stress and professional racial self-efficacy. Results of this study can provide a new lens to improve the retention of educators of color.

Authors

• Ain A. Grooms, The University of Iowa

• Ebonee Johnson, The University of Iowa

• Duhita Mahatmya, The University of Iowa