Philanthropy Aims To Diversity Teacher Workforce Amid Staffing Shortages

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"There is an emergency. We all know what the pandemic has done, not just to our schools and communities but to teachers and the ensuing shortage," NewSchools Venture Fund's Katiusca Moreno tells Education Week. "But there's more of a dire need now."

That's why the fund, which backs early-stage education companies, is giving $2.5 million to 15 organizations across the country to boost teacher diversity.

Only about 20% of the teacher workforce is of color, while more than half of public schools are of color, Moreno says. And that inequity has been further exacerbated by teachers leaving their jobs over the last two years since the pandemic started.

The fund, which is being funded by the Walton Family Foundation and Oakland, Calif.-based NewSchools Venture Fund, is giving each of the 15 organizations a one-year grant ranging from $150,000 to $200,000.

Among the projects the $2.5 million will fund: building culturally responsive teacher preparation and residency programs, training and wellness support for teachers of color, and more. Read the Entire Article