Centering Well-Being and Wholeness: Exploring Racial Battle Fatigue Among Early-Career Black Teachers

• In Event: AERA Graduate Student Research-in-Progress Session 5
  In Roundtable Session: Understanding the Experiences of Teachers of Color (Table 9)

Abstract

This study explores racial battle fatigue (RBF) among 3K-12 early-career Black teachers (ECBTs). Existing research indicates that teachers of Color face stress leading to self-doubt, lowered confidence, and potential attrition (Pizarro & Kohli, 2020). While most existing RBF studies focus on higher education, few examine 3K-12 Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) teachers. Through a qualitative descriptive case study (n = 10), including interviews and surveys, the researcher anticipates intensified RBF experiences for ECBTs teaching majority BIPOC students and heightened stress responses among ECBTs who engage in surface acting over deep acting. This research will provide resources and professional learning opportunities about regulating RBF so ECBTs hopefully remain at their schools and in the teaching profession.

Author

• Olubunmi Fashusi, Hunter College - CUNY