Millennial Teachers of Color

Book excerpt: 2019 Outstanding Book Award, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) Millennial Teachers of Color explores the opportunities and challenges for creating and sustaining a healthy teaching force in the United States. Millennials are the largest generational cohort in American history, with approximately ninety million members and, of these, roughly 43 percent are people of color. This book, edited by prominent teacher educator Mary E. Dilworth, considers the unique qualities, challenges, and opportunities posed by that large population for the teaching field. Noting that a diverse teaching and learning community enhances student achievement, particularly for the underserved and underachieving preK–12 student population, Dilworth argues that efforts to recruit, groom, and retain teachers of color are out-of-date and inadequate. She and the contributors offer fresh looks at these millennials and explore their views of the teaching profession; focus attention on their relation to schools and teaching; and consider how these young teachers feel about teaching for social justice. The book is intended to disrupt the current line of inquiry that suggests that by simply increasing the number of teachers of color equity has been established. Readers will gain insights on this unique and valuable group of prospective and practicing preK–12 educators and understanding of the need for more contemporary approaches to recruitment, preparation, hiring, and placement. Contributors Keffrelyn D. Brown Keith C. Catone Genesis A. Chavez Marcus J. Coleman Hollee R. Freeman Michael Hansen Socorro G. Herrera Sarah Ishmael Sabrina Hope King Adam T. Kuranishi Lindsay A. Miller Amanda R. Morales Janice Hamilton Outtz Zollie Stevenson Jr. Dulari Tahbildar Angela M. Ward