Teacher Appreciation Week May 6-10
Increasing the numbers of Native teachers in classrooms improves educational opportunities for Native students and supports them in reaching their full potential. Yet K-12 public school teachers are less racially and ethnically diverse as a group than their students. Although there have been increases in the numbers of teachers of color, growth has not kept pace with the rapid growth in students’ racial and ethnic diversity nationwide.
Data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) shows public school teachers are on average 27 percent more likely to be white than their students, yet numerous studies show the benefit of having teachers of color in the classroom.
Teachers of color boost the academic performance of students of color and ALL students report having more positive perceptions of their teachers of color.
The American Indian College Fund provides the next generation of Native teachers with the support they need—financial and otherwise—to succeed in their important education careers, while also supporting tribal colleges and universities with teacher education programs to provide them with a quality education. Together we are working to ensure Native voices and perspectives are seen and heard in the classroom—and Native students have the support to succeed.
