This is a word, a podcast from Slate. I'm your host, Jason Johnson. Most American public

school students are kids of color, but a small minority of teachers are. And the latest

data shows that fewer than 10% of American teachers are black. So what's driving the

black teacher's shortage? And what's at stake, Fendidation's kids?

All the disruptions, the challenges of virtual learning, challenges for kids and families

because of COVID's economic impact, the health impact on families. All of that took a toll

on teachers.

Solving the black teacher's shortage, coming up on a word with me, Jason Johnson. Stay with

us.

Welcome to a word, a podcast about race and politics and everything else. I'm your host,

Jason Johnson. This month as students settled back into school, we're focusing on issues

important to education. Today, we're talking about the shortage of black teachers.

Students of color have made up the majority of those in American public schools for close

to a decade, but only about 20% of teachers are non-white and fewer than 10% are black.

Research suggests that better representation among teachers benefits black students by

helping close the achievement gap, encouraging more equitable school discipline and lower

dropout rates.

So how do we get more promising black professionals into teaching? How do we keep more veteran

black teachers in schools?

Joining us to talk about this is John King. He's the president of the Education Trust and

Education Policy Nonprofit and the former US Secretary of Education, John King. Welcome

to a word.

...