African Americans, Latinos Underrepresented in Teaching Profession Nationwide
Denver, CO – Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today joined former Denver Broncos defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban at Stedman Elementary School to highlight the need for a new generation of diverse and talented leaders to consider a career in teaching. At Stedman, Bennet and Ekuban visited a classroom, held an assembly with students and played with kids in a PE class.
“As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, we are reminded of the need to attract a new generation of teachers from all walks of life that fully reflects the diversity of this nation,” said Bennet. “As a former superintendent of schools, I know firsthand that diversity in the classroom – among both teachers and students – can enrich the learning environment. If you want to make a difference in a child’s life – if you care about inequality and expanding opportunity – become a teacher.”
"Education is important, and encouraging kids to become educators will help strengthen the ranks of those in charge of classrooms in the future," said Ekuban.
African American and Latino teachers, especially males, are underrepresented in our classrooms. Nationally, about 38 percent of public school students are African American or Latino, but less than 15 percent of teachers are African American or Latino, and less than 2 percent are African American males. In Denver , more than 72 percent of public school students are African American or Latino, but less than 20 percent of teachers are African American or Latino. Less than 2 percent of Denver teachers are African American males, and less than 4 percent are Latino males.
With more than a million teachers set to retire in the next few years, Bennet has proposed a Presidential Teacher Corps to recruit and train a diverse army of teachers for high-need schools. A similar program was included in the President’s proposed budget.
Bennet has begun a series of school visits in Colorado and across the country to inform the conversation about how best to improve public education and build consensus for reforms that will help revitalize our schools and help prepare kids for success in college and the 21st century economy. He believes that the best ideas come from outside of Washington and wants to bring the voices, ideas and aspirations of teachers, principals, parents and students to the U.S. Senate.
Ekuban, a strong advocate for public education, is a former NFL first round draft pick. He played defensive end for the Denver Broncos in 2005, 2006 and 2008. He was an honor student in high school and received awards and recognition as an exceptional student-athlete in college.
Students at Landmark academy at reunion celebrate first annual latin culture week
Landmark Academy at Reunion , a tuition-free public charter school, recently hosted their First Annual Latin Culture Week, a week focused on educating students on the various aspects of Latin culture, from music and art to sports and celebrities, through unique activities. During the week-long celebration, students were able to step into the lives of the Aztecs, Incas and Mayans with Latin culture lessons through piñata making, cultural crafts, songs, traditional foods and more. Students made maracas and learned a traditional Mexican Hat Dance; created Aztec suns working with metal tooling; and studied different countries in Mexico , Central America and South America . Aztec dancers from the Colorado Folk Arts Council also visited with students and educated them on the spiritual and traditional aspects of Aztec culture through dance. “We reside in a community with strong Latin and Hispanic roots,” said Matt Carlton, principal of Landmark Academy at Reunion . “Our community culture is important to us at Landmark. By providing unique ways for our students to learn the various backgrounds of our diverse community they are able to understand and appreciate different cultures.” For more information about Landmark Academy at Reunion , please visit www.landmarkacademy.org.
