Elevating the Voices of Latina High School Students Considering Careers in Education

• In Event: Latin@ Students Navigating Deficit Discourses in Education

Abstract

The goal of this qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of high school aged Latina women (N = 27) on teacher diversity and factors influencing or deterring their consideration of becoming teachers. Specifically, we examine the following research questions:
1. What obstacles discourage Latina high school students from pursuing careers in teaching?
2. What value do Latina adolescents think teachers of color bring to classrooms?
3. What influence does having access to teachers of color have on Latina students’ decisions to enter the teaching profession?
By centering the voices of a specific population of young women of color, this research aims to add to the growing body of research calling for more educators of color in public schools.

Authors

• Robin Brandehoff, University of Colorado - Denver

• Wagma S. Mommandi, University of Colorado - Boulder

• Jenna Clark Martin, University of Colorado - Denver