Supporting Inclusive and Diverse Educator Environments

REL Midwest will coordinate with state and district staff to cultivate and sustain working conditions and school cultures that increase the retention of Indigenous educators and educators of color. This work will focus on areas of cultural proficiency training identified through REL Midwest–facilitated needs assessments and co-design planning meetings with state, district, and school personnel. Support will entail schoolwide training, leadership coaching, mentor coaching for Indigenous mentors and mentors of color, and affinity groups for Indigenous educators and educators of color. Each of these components will also incorporate resources focused on topics elevated by the schools.

REL Midwest will examine the usability, feasibility, and acceptability of SIDEE’s four intervention components designed to improve school climate for Indigenous educators and educators of color. REL Midwest will conduct surveys and interviews with participants in up to four schools during 2 academic years, with the data collection and reporting sequenced throughout the school years to inform continuous improvement. The purpose of the study is to ensure the final intervention is aligned with the needs of Minnesota districts and schools and can support the state’s educator diversification goals.

REL Midwest is conducting a study to identify factors that are associated with the completion of traditional four-year undergraduate teacher preparation programs to address teacher preparation needs in Illinois, Indiana, and Minnesota. REL Midwest is using administrative, survey, and interview data to examine how demographic and academic characteristics differ between those who complete and don’t complete these programs, and what personal and contextual factors are associated with program completion.