OUR PURPOSE & VALUES

The One Million Teachers of Color campaign values equity, human dignity, collaboration, intentional change, commitment to community, and accountability. Collectively, these values guide how we work and the policies and practices we pursue to achieve our vision for teachers and leaders of color, students, and our communities.

OUR PURPOSE

As schools across the country work to address the challenges of a diminishing teacher pipeline and educator attrition–at a moment when students need diverse, effective teachers more than ever, we must begin to reimagine and transform inequitable systems that have excluded teachers and leaders of color.

Our success will strengthen communities, the greater teacher and school leader workforce, and generations of future students and educators.

We will advocate for policies that increase the number of teachers and leaders of color by providing supportive and innovative pathways to the profession, and advancing inclusive environments designed for teachers and leaders of color to be supported and valued for their contribution to classrooms, schools, and communities.

OUR VALUES

Equity

We believe that advocating for policies that reimagine preparation and retention practices for teachers and leaders of color will lead to an improved and more equitable education system

We believe that equity must be at the core of systems that recruit and retain all teachers and leaders, particularly those of color

Human Dignity

We believe that because of the strengths and contributions of teachers and leaders of color for our students, schools, and communities, we must follow solutions that center their humanity

We believe systems, leaders, and communities can work together to transform education, so that students benefit from the full range of teachers’ and leaders’ cultural and linguistic experiences, talents, and skills

Collaboration

We believe our collective passion, fueled by our Campaign’s diverse partnerships and perspectives, makes us a powerful force for change

We believe our strength is in our shared commitment and call upon others to join us

Intentional Change

We believe that efforts to increase teachers and leaders of color in our schools require a commitment to inclusion and sustained action

We intentionally center teachers and leaders of color for the benefit of all students

Commitment to Community

We believe that creating affirming and inclusive school environments where teachers and leaders of color are respected will build cultural belonging and foster future student leaders

We believe that teachers, leaders, and students of color deserve full access to energizing and sustainable learning environments to thrive as their authentic selves

Accountability

We believe that schools, districts, and other public systems need to be held accountable for recruiting, supporting, and retaining teachers and leaders of color

We believe the best school environments are ones where education leaders at all levels cultivate a sense of belonging for teachers, leaders, and students of color