Diversifying the Educator Workforce Collaborative:
Fostering Synergy for Impact
The Diversifying the Educator Workforce (DEW) Collaborative has a deep commitment to educational equity, and we firmly believe that a racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse educator workforce is vital to improving learning for all students. The movement to diversify the educator workforce has yielded a variety of influential organizations, initiatives, and partnerships across the region. The work often happens in silos, but we believe collaboration is crucial. As a collaborative with access to leaders, educators, and policymakers, we’re dedicated to building synergy among stakeholders to enhance the impact on communities, students, and families.
In August 2021, the Great Schools Partnership, with support from the Barr Foundation, launched a new regional effort—the Diversifying the Educator Workforce (DEW) Collaborative—to rapidly, boldly, and courageously move from concepts to action to increase the racial, ethnic, and linguistic diversity of the New England educator workforce. The imperative is clear: A racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse educator workforce is vital to closing the inequitable gaps that persist between students of color and their White peers.
The collaborative’s overarching goal is anchored in the recommendations outlined in Increasing the Racial, Ethnic, and Linguistic Diversity of the Educator Workforce: A Call to Action for Leaders, a report from the New England Secondary School Consortium Task Force on Diversifying the Educator Workforce.
Guiding Framework
The collaborative’s overarching goal is anchored in the recommendations outlined in Increasing the Racial, Ethnic, and Linguistic Diversity of the Educator Workforce, a report from the NESSC Task Force on Diversifying the Educator Workforce. The report, developed based on research and input from a range of stakeholders in each state, specifically identified grounding principles and five areas of action that influence demographic changes in the current educator workforce:
Click the links above to download promising practices and strategies to consider for each area.
New England Teacher and Student Demographics
Regionally, our educator workforce fails to match the racial and ethnic diversity of our students. Across the six New England states, approximately 68.5% of students identify as White. Comparatively, approximately 92.6% of teachers identify as White. This disproportionality that exists at both the regional level as well as at the state level underscores the need for new and innovative pathways to developing a more diverse and representative educator workforce.
Connecticut
Data Sources | Connecticut: Student Data (2022); Educator Data (2022)
*Rounds to 0% or suppressed due to small numbers
*Rounds to 0% or suppressed due to small numbers
Maine
Data Sources | Maine: Student Data (2023); Educator Data (2020)
*Rounds to 0% or suppressed due to small numbers
*Rounds to 0% or suppressed due to small numbers
Massachusetts
Data Sources | Massachusetts​: Student Data (2022); Educator Data (2022)
*Rounds to 0% or suppressed due to small numbers
*Rounds to 0% or suppressed due to small numbers
New Hampshire
Data Sources | New Hampshire: Student Data (2022); Educator Data (2020)
*Rounds to 0% or suppressed due to small numbers
*Rounds to 0% or suppressed due to small numbers
Rhode Island
Data Sources | Rhode Island: Student Data (2022); Educator Data (2021)
*Rounds to 0% or suppressed due to small numbers
*Rounds to 0% or suppressed due to small numbers
Vermont
Data Sources | Vermont: Student Data (2021); Educator Data (2020)
*Rounds to 0% or suppressed due to small numbers
*Rounds to 0% or suppressed due to small numbers
Current Opportunities
A transformative energy is sweeping through Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Let’s join forces to create an unprecedented synergy. Welcome to the DEW Collaborative, where innovation, sustainability, and community intertwine to shape the future of our region.
If you identify as a person of color, we are also hosting a series of BIPOC affinity spaces for anyone involved in diversifying the educator workforce. To learn more about our affinity groups, please contact Danielle Pierre.
Regional State Education Agency Community of Practice
This community of practice is for members of state educational agencies and is free to join. This group will meet virtually, via Zoom, from 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. on the following dates:
- November 9, 2023
- December 5, 2023
- January 11, 2024
- February 6, 2024
- March 5, 2024
- April 2, 2024
- May 2, 2024
Get registered: https://bit.ly/DEW-SEA
Regional District Community of Practice
This community of practice is for for pre k-12 district and school leaders and is free to join. This group will meet virtually, via Zoom, from 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. on the following dates:
- October 12, 2023
- November 9, 2023
- December 14, 2024
- January 11, 2024
- February 8, 2024
- March 14, 2024
- April 11, 2024
- May 9, 2024
Get registered: https://bit.ly/DEW-Districts
Regional Non-Profit/Community Organization Community of Practice
This community of practice is for members of non-profit community organizations who are focused on the work of diversifying the educator workforce. This group is free to join and will meet virtually, via Zoom, from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. on the following dates:
- October 18, 2023
- November 15, 2023
- December 20, 2024
- January 17, 2024
- February 21, 2024
- March 20, 2024
- April 17, 2024
- May 15, 2024
Get registered: https://bit.ly/DEW-Community
"More than a Seat at the Table" is a podcast of a larger New England-based mission to diversify the educator workforce. The spotlight on this issue has only grown with the emergence of a critical examination of systemic disparities. We delve into the heart of the matter, addressing the stark underrepresentation of people of color in leadership roles across the education spectrum, from pre-K through university. We aim to spark meaningful conversations, share insights, and explore solutions that transcend tokenism, striving for genuine inclusion and equity.
In our journey through these episodes, we'll engage with key community members, from state educational agencies shaping policies to school district leaders implementing change on the ground and community support organizations forging connections that empower teachers of color. We'll explore best practices in recruitment and retention, uncover challenges, and envision a future where diversity in education leadership is not just a goal but a reality.
Join us on this compelling journey as we amplify voices, challenge assumptions, and advocate for a more inclusive educational landscape. It's not just about having a seat at the table; it's about reshaping the entire conversation and ensuring that every voice is heard and valued. Welcome to "More than a Seat at the Table," where the discussion is more than just talk—it's a catalyst for change.
First episode coming soon!
There are numerous DEW activities taking place within each state. Reach out to us if you are interested in collaborating in events within your state.
Click here to learn more or get registered.
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