Millennial Teachers of Color, edited by Mary E. Dilworth (Harvard Education Press, 2018)
Although Millennials (individuals born in the last two decades of the 20th century) are "the most racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse generation to date, and in 2015 surpassed generation X to become the largest share of the [U.S.] workforce," Millennials of color are still scantly represented among U.S. K–12 teachers. Why is this so?
Editor Mary Dilworth looks deeper into this reality and asserts that just getting more black, Latino, and other racially or ethnically underrepresented groups to sign on as teachers won't solve the root problem. We must "probe beneath the surface to recognize … how the current generation of teachers of color may have a distinctly different mindset than their predecessors and white peers," including understanding what motivates 20-somethings of color and what experiences contribute to their understandings and perspectives about teaching.
The nine chapters here—some written by or including the voices of practicing teachers of color—examine the distinct interests and needs of these young teachers. Topics addressed include the primacy of social justice (and even teacher activism) as part of why many young teachers of color choose the profession, the role of racism and racial awareness, and the distinct ways these teachers need to be supported once they begin teaching so they feel effective and respected—and stay. Each chapter is written by a different author, so there's a compelling variety of tones. The passages in which current teachers describe their emotions, struggles, and the supports they wish they had are among the most valuable parts of the book.
