By 2022, Philadelphia saw a staggering loss of 1,250 Black educators since the year 2000, raising significant concerns about the city’s public education system.
Tracey, a high school teacher with over a decade of experience in the Philadelphia School District, remembers her challenging early days.
As one of the few Black educators in a predominantly white setting, she faced discrimination, with parents expressing doubts about her teaching abilities based solely on her race and personal background.
The Impact of the Pandemic
This is not an isolated incident; it mirrors the sentiments of many Black teachers throughout the district.
The COVID-19 pandemic sparked a wave of resignations, a trend identified as the “Great Teacher Resignation.” A national survey revealed that 64% of teachers experienced decreased job satisfaction in the wake of the pandemic, while 74% advised others against entering the teaching profession.
The departure of Black educators has roots that extend back far before the pandemic and continues to be a pressing issue.
This decline persists even though research highlights the positive impact Black teachers have on both Black students and the larger student demographic.
Challenges Faced by Black Educators
In partnership with Research for Action, a nonprofit organization dedicated to racial and social equity in education, our team—which includes an urban education professor and a Ph.D. holder in sociology and education—conducted interviews with 30 Black teachers, both current and former, in the School District of Philadelphia.
Our findings were published in the Journal of Black Studies.
In the year 2000, Philadelphia proudly employed 4,059 Black teachers, but by 2022, that figure had plummeted to 2,866.
This troubling trend aligns with broader statewide patterns in Pennsylvania, where Black educators faced attrition rates exceeding those of their white peers—more than twice as high in the past year.
In her book “Not Paved for Us: Black Educators and Public School Reform in Philadelphia,” education scholar Camika Royal elaborates on the challenges Black teachers in the city encounter.
Our interviews further illustrate the fatigue that many Black educators feel, stemming from the pervasive racism within the school district, which varies according to the racial makeup of their schools.
Support and Retention Efforts
Teachers working in predominantly Black neighborhoods described systemic obstacles, such as a lack of essential classroom resources.
Nina, a middle school teacher in a majority Black area, recounted frequently having to seek materials online because her requests went unaddressed.
On the flip side, Black educators in predominantly white schools shared their struggles with microaggressions, including complaints from white parents when their children were assigned a Black teacher and feelings of isolation among their white colleagues.
Despite the multitude of challenges and experiences tied to racial bias, it’s striking that the majority of those we interviewed—25 out of 30—continue to teach in the district.
Their commitment is fueled by the importance of representation; they understand the value of Black students seeing themselves reflected in their educators.
Mila, a seasoned teacher, highlighted how vital Black educators are in establishing connections with Black students.
Furthermore, many of the teachers noted that they found camaraderie and support in affinity groups, which provided valuable connections with other Black educators.
Simon, another veteran in the field, shared how these networks helped him cultivate his professional identity and find his voice.
Education scholar Bettina Love argues that before attempting to recruit more Black teachers, efforts must focus on retaining those already in place.
Noteworthy initiatives like the Center for Black Educator Development aim to address this very issue, striving to bolster both recruitment and retention in Philadelphia and beyond.
To combat the decline of Black educators, school districts should enhance their support systems.
Creating safe spaces, allocating financial resources, and dedicating time to discussions about racism and self-care could significantly help keep Black teachers in the field.
Source: The74million