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Case Study: Greater Rochester PLTI Advocates for Increasing Teacher Diversity in Monroe County, New York

By Wendy Y. Perez, Ph.D. 

This case study was developed with support from the WK Kellogg Foundation.

Kimberly Jones is a parent leader and alum of the Greater Rochester Parent Leadership Training Institute. Over the past two years, she has been part of a parent-led effort to increase teacher diversity in Monroe County, New York.

Kimberly’s son, Dayquan, attended Rochester City Schools, but had only one Black teacher who looked like him. Despite this, he always saw himself as a teacher. In high school, a program for aspiring educators mapped out his path to his goal. With strong parental support, in five years he gained an undergraduate and master's degree, and professional certification.

The path from successful graduate to school counselor, however, wasn't all smooth. His first-choice school district, though sorely lacking Black professionals, didn't choose him until late in the hiring season. Then, after a strong first year, he got a pink slip because of district personnel cuts. Though he did land a position in a second-choice district, this experience made him question why he was chasing a career that guaranteed low salaries.

Despite these roadblocks, his commitment is still strong. For students of color, he is the model he never had in his school years. Like many other parents whose children motivate their civic activism, Kimberly’s son’s experience has fueled her commitment to making it easier for other people of color to become and remain teachers

This case study shows how a group of parent leaders—the Greater Rochester Parent Leadership Training Institute (GROC PLTI)—elevated the issue of teacher diversity in Monroe County, New York, secured meaningful representation in hiring decisions, and are collaborating with a school district and higher education institution to make meaningful change.

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