Supporting a Diverse Educator Workforce and Professional Growth to Strengthen Student Learning

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The Region 9 Comprehensive Center partnered with its Advisory Board to establish the Diversifying the Teacher Workforce affinity group, a community of diverse teachers and leaders with a shared interest in exploring and applying evidence-based practices for recruiting and retaining teachers of color. In response to Secretary Cardona’s call to address education inequities, the Region 9 Comprehensive Center used a mixed-methods approach, which included examining national and state demographic data, conducting policy scans, and conducting five, hour-long interviews with Advisory Board members to provide insights and strategies for supporting a diverse teacher workforce to strengthen student learning in schools and districts in Illinois, Iowa, and nationwide that align with the Secretary’s four priority areas.