Why I Hire Diverse Teachers

When I was in elementary school for grades K through 4, I attended a fabulously diverse school in Memphis, Tennessee. As a young white student, I loved and adored and celebrated with my besties of all backgrounds. I didn't even think about race as a kiddo... until I moved into a white community. I immediately felt confused and emotional about the entire move. Where did all of my friends go? Why was everyone in this school white? (For the record, in 5th grade, my crush was the cutie pie Asian kiddo in class. Here's looking at you, Adam.)

I grew and evolved in my schooling years in this community, but I never felt like I fit in- not really.

In college and in my adult years, I delight in friendships of every background, and I find that I fit into communities that have experienced judgment, and while I cannot say I have had the same experiences, I can say that I know what it is to be judged, and I prefer to have friends and people in my life who love my imperfections no matter what, and I find this in culturally diverse communities.

With pride in my heart, I write to you today. I've been a woman on a mission in education for over 15 years, and in the past three, I have been a woman in the educational space who owns two businesses, both an elite academy and a tutoring company.

I look for the best of the best in my teachers and staff, and I look for the diverse. Kiddos, tweens, and teens need to see themselves in their role models, their teachers, and their mentors. It's absolutely important to love all humans, but I want to express the dire importance of representation.

Why?

Decades of research has shown that educators and mentors of color can help close the access and opportunity gaps for students of color while being absolutely vital to the well-being of students of all races.

And so, I hire teachers of every background because I want my students to see themselves in their leaders so as to become powerful leaders themselves.

I love you!

Mrs. Evelyn Educates

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