Winooski schools picked for program aimed at diversifying faculty

Winooski schools will receive funding and research support aimed at retaining and attracting teachers of color thanks to a new grant-supported program.

In the Winooski Public schools, fifty one percent of 824 students identify as people of color, while only 6 percent of teachers identify as non-white, according to Winooski Schools Superintendent Sean McMannon, who was quoted in a news release about the grant from the Barr Foundation.

Winooski schools have endured some criticism over a lack of educator diversity, including from a now-former teacher of color, Thierry Mugabo Uwilingiyimana, who resigned this June after sending a letter to school officials calling out racist culture and lack of support.

The Winooski Students for Antiracism have also called for a strategy and action plan to hire more teachers of color, which they note is moving forward with help from this grant. Mohammed Biop, a behavior interventionist in the district, is taking on the role of the Hiring and Retaining Teachers of Color Liaison with funds from the grant, according to the group.

“It is important for our students’ short- and long-term outcomes that we are able to attract and retain teachers who share the same skin color, linguistic, and cultural backgrounds as our students,” McMannon said.

Education research finds that students of color who learn from teachers of color are more likely to succeed, according to the release.

They’re more likely to complete high school, go onto college, face fewer suspensions and disciplinary action, and be referred to gifted and talented programs, according to education research that points to the importance of having a diverse workforce that identifies with its students.

The program, called “Driving Toward Diversity in the Educator Workforce,” includes research support from The New Teacher Project. They will work with students, teachers, school leaders, families, and the broader community taking their input and specific points of view all through June 2022. The district will end up with a research report that will find areas of strength and recommendations.

“We have over 20 years of experience working with school districts and educators to close achievement gaps, improve classroom instruction, and develop talented, diverse teaching staffs,” said Arlene Sukran, Vice President of Northeast TNTP. “We hope this new effort will go

a long way in making much-needed improvements for both students and teachers. It’s exciting to be part of the solution.”

Other grant winners selected for the eight-month program are school systems in Stamford, CT, Portland, ME, and several in Massachusetts including Salem, Fitchburg, Lowell, Western Massachusetts, along with a charter school in Boston and the Excel Academy Charter Schools in East Boston and Chelsea, which are expanding to Rhode Island.