Exploring the Relationship Between Teacher Diversity and Students' Mental Health (Poster 65)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Seven
  In Poster Session: Youth Teams in Education Research Poster Session

Abstract

This project explores how having teachers with the same/similar backgrounds as students in NYC public schools can affect students’ mental health. The study highlights the lack of diversity amongst school faculty, and considers possible impacts on students' identity construction and mental health.
There have already been studies establishing a relationship between having teachers from minoritized backgrounds and minoritized students’ academic performance. My study expands on this framework, to evaluate the impact of representation on students’ mental health in the midst of a teen mental health crisis that disproportionately impacts minoritized communities.
The objective of this study is be to help educators and legislators gain a better understanding of how important it may be for students to feel represented by their teachers (especially racially), and how it can impacts students’ mental health.

Authors

• Limarys Caraballo, Teachers College, Columbia University
  Presenting Author

• Clarissa Kunizaki, Youth Teams in Education Research
  Presenting Author