Opinion: Diverse teachers? Make the profession more appealing

Back in July, I had the privilege of being the master of ceremonies at a Northern Kentucky University workshop called "Courageous Conversations" where we would discuss all the obstacles to teaching as a career and the shortages of minorities and qualified individuals entering the profession.

At this workshop, several superintendents from Northern Kentucky school districts along with representatives of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati engaged in a meaningful conversation with community members, teachers, parents and higher education representatives. Unfortunately, Cincinnati Public Schools did not have a representative in attendance although our neighboring Dayton, Ohio, school district did send representation.

The conversations were open and honest as we explored the lack of minorities in the education field, the overall shortage of teachers, which appears to be increasing, and the standardized national testing which must occur to be licensed. Many obstacles were discussed: low salaries which cannot compete with other college majors; no role models to inspire young people of color to aspire to teach; high turnover, especially of minorities and special education teachers; rigid national testing requirements that do not allow for practicum experience. 

Many qualified education majors are prepared to teach yet cannot pass the PRAXIS national test. One shoe does not fit all, and yet we hold our preservice teachers to this unrealistic requirement. These are just a few of the issues and hurdles that make teaching a very difficult and underappreciated profession.

We must continue these courageous conversations with all school districts in our region so we can collectively make a positive shift in our teaching profession and ultimately our children’s lives. We must work to solve this shortage and increase a diverse teaching population. We must also create support for these new teachers so they will remain in the field to help us succeed. 

Teaching is said to be a calling, and I believe it is, but we must not take advantage of those who are called. We must make it more appealing to the other called individuals who see the hurdles in front of them. 

Gary Favors lives in Avondale and is a candidate for Cincinnati Public Schools Board of Education.