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Black Educator Excellence Cohort

Black Educator Excellence Cohort
Taryn Walker teaching fifth-grade students at Clarence L Farrington School 61

At TNTP Teaching Fellows, we prioritize equitable education to ensure economic and social mobility for our students. One proven way to improve student performance and life outcomes, especially for students of color, is to ensure that the teacher workforce is diverse and holds and delivers on the high expectation that all students can excel. Research shows that students of color who have teachers who look like them and share their life experiences are more likely to stay in school, graduate, and pursue college degrees or other credentials that prepare them to thrive in life. Yet, the racial disparity between students and the teacher workforce is large and growing; while more than half of K–12 students are students of color, more than 80% of teachers are white.

For the past four years, we have partnered with a national foundation to support new Black teachers transition to the classroom. The Black Educator Excellence Cohort (BEEC) provides additional resources such as scholarships, testing support, and the opportunity to build community and network with fellow cohort members and experienced educators. We look forward to welcoming the 2023-24 BEEC cohort.

We all understand the struggles that Black people face in the education system, so being able to bring what I learn in our pre-service training classes to those people in our cohort has been really inspiring and motivational. When I feel like this is challenging, they always remind me why we’re here and what we want to do.

— Batool Ibrahim, Baltimore City Teaching Residency

BEEC has supported me in so many meaningful and impactful ways. The most impactful thus far has been the ability to breathe in our BEEC space. When I say breathe, I literally mean breathe. The Mental and Emotional Check In during our BEEC time together should be bottled up and sold. During this pandemic those check ins with BEEC are definitely keeping me afloat.

— Dwana Castile, teachNOLA

The BEEC program is important for Black educators because it provides a support system that is both responsive and relevant. It creates a space for Black educators to discuss and deliberate matters that are contextually significant to our community.

— Troy Smith, Indianapolis Teaching Fellows

What is the Black Educator Excellence Cohort (BEEC)?

There’s no shortage of talented people of color who could help close the teacher diversity gap. Barriers such as program tuition, testing fees, and personal expenses while transitioning to teaching disproportionately impact potential teachers of color.

The Black Educator Excellence Cohort (BEEC) tackles the barriers that keep aspiring Black teachers out of the profession. In previous years, BEEC members have received financial assistance, support with required certification exams, including practice tests, online coursework, 1:1 support, and a space to build community with other Black educators. To counteract the isolation and challenges many Black teachers face on mostly white teaching staff, the program also provides a network of mutual support and targeted development opportunities, such as social events, book studies, and guest speakers.

Hear It From Them

BEEC Testimonials

"Teaching is a challenging yet rewarding career that takes determination and consistency. There will be days you want to give up, but you lean on your coaches and other members of the cohort."

Head-and-shoulders photo of Jazmin Sanders

Jazmin Sanders

Indianapolis Teaching Fellows

Elementary, K-2

"I believe that it is important to teach right now because equitable education is under attack."

Headshot of Troy Smith

Troy Smith

Indianapolis Teaching Fellows

Elementary, 5-6

"Teaching is, “you get to,” not "you have to.” You get to prepare the next generation. That’s amazing."

Head-and-shoulders photo of Dwana Caliste

Dwana Caliste

teachNOLA

English, 9-12

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