This article was written for the April edition of the Community Compass newsletter.
Middleton High School students in Black Student Union and Latino Student Union are sharing their perspectives on diversity and the impact of students learning from teachers and staff of color.
“Having teachers of color in your school breeds a culture of diversity and makes students of color feel included,” said Uriel Tsipotou, a junior. “It also makes it easier for students to go up and ask those teachers for help.”
BSU and LSU leaders recently attended a Multicultural Student Achievement Network (MSAN) conference and talked with other high school students across the nation about ways to increase diversity among school staff. They shared their ideas with MCPASD leaders and are getting involved in the hiring process through promotional video production as well as leading tables at District hiring events.
“What we’ve been working for, for so long, is that we want more people of color here in this district,” said Fiona Mccasey, a sophomore. “They’re going to be welcomed with open arms.”
“Representation matters, not just for academics, but also identity and confidence for students,” added Natalia Romero Gutierrez, a junior. “They could turn into a role model for students who rarely see themselves reflected in the classroom.”
Students said there are noticeable improvements in classroom communication as well as academic and personal growth when educators have similar backgrounds and experiences as students of color.
“For my freshman year in algebra I had Ms. Figueroa as my teacher, who’s also Puerto Rican like me,” said Genesis Flores Lanzo, a junior. “She told me that I reminded her a lot of her younger self…and knowing that it’s true more on an ethnic level…it just hit me a lot harder than a lot of other teachers could.”
Students expressed gratitude for staff members of color who use their roles outside of the regular classroom setting to connect and focus on issues that are important to them. Their role models include MHS Student and Family Engagement Specialists Aisha Myers and Laura Taveras-Genao, as well as School Counselor LaRon Ragsdale.
“It’s really important to know that I have people who are on my side and can understand where I’m coming from a lot of the time,” said Sennie Kidau, a junior.
“Just their presence alone has helped me imagine a future where I can succeed and be like them, help others in need, and make a true impact,” added Natalia.
Teachers of color can also inspire students throughout their school journey to pursue a career path in education after they graduate.
“To me, it would mean seeing somebody walk the way I walk, but being able to make it out through a path and choose higher education and teach,” said Diamond Tai, a sophomore. “You have the opportunity to make a difference.”