Female Puerto Rican Teachers' Testimonios on Retention and Culture

• In Event: Moscone Center West Roundtable Session 1
  In Roundtable Session: The Role of Teacher Preparation Programs in Supporting Teachers for and From Diverse Communities

Abstract

Research suggests that teachers of color (ToC) have a positive impact on students’ academic achievement, yet, ToC comprise less than twenty percent of the workforce. Policymakers who seek to increase the number of teachers of color, particularly Latino teachers, need to understand what keeps them in the profession. Using LatCrit Theory to understand factors that support retention, four female Puerto Rican teachers engaged in a series of in-depth interviews to make meaning of their longevity. The analysis revealed the following themes: (1) dignity and respect: the recognition of contributions and engagement in meaningful work practices, and (2) leadership towards educational attainment and equity. These themes arose as the co-researchers described instances when their cultural values supported their commitment to teaching.

Author

• Elizabeth Taveras Rivera, Hunter College