Our commitment to Latino students and families runs deep in Massachusetts. Founded in Boston, we are dedicated to empowering our community through leadership development, advocacy, and support. Join us in our mission to ensure every Latino educator and family has the tools for success and every student can reach their fullest potential. Together, we can build a brighter future.
MASSACHUSETTS BY THE NUMBERS
OF Students are LATINO
OF teachers are LATINO
1 in 4 of these teachers will leave their position within four years
OUR PROGRAMS
Through our programming, we are infusing Latino talent into positions of influence to build an ecosystem of educators, education leaders, and advocates in Massachusetts. Learn more about our programs available Massachusetts below.
Familias Latinas Por La Educación es un programa de desarrollo de liderazgo para familiares adultos de niños en edad escolar que desean impactar positivamente su educación. Los participantes se instruyen a través de sesiones en persona y obtienen acceso a recursos, herramientas y estructuras basadas en las mejores prácticas que se puedan incorporar a su liderazgo.
ADVOCACY
Educator Diversity Act
We believe that attracting and retaining educators of color is one of the most important priorities we face in the Commonwealth. Latinos for Education convened a coalition of 50 organizations across the educator pipeline with the goal of creating a policy proposal, now known as the Educator Diversity Act, to address some of the biggest barriers faced by educators of color.
Early College Educator Pathway
In order to both increase the number of educators in the classroom and increase the diversity of new educators, Latinos for Education convenes stakeholders and shares insights and expertise while we work to create a model for Early College Educator Pathways. Research shows students who participate in early college programs are more likely to go to college. However, Latino representation in these programs is low. In fact, 38% of students in Early College programs are Latino. Because enrollment in traditional educator preparation programs is also low for Latinos, we advocate for the expansion of early college, while we work to recruit students into the teaching profession.
MASSACHUSETTS AREA RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS
In Pursuit of Greatness: Bold Strategies to Grow a Strong and Diverse Educator Workforce
Is a report released by Latinos for Education, MassINC, and Boston University Wheelock Educational Policy Center. The report examines the progress made towards diversifying the Massachusetts educator workforce and assesses trends to simulate what the racial and ethnic composition of educators in the state will be in 2030. This report analysis builds a strong case for the passage of comprehensive legislation such as the Educator Diversity Act.
Laying the Groundwork for Policy Change
In this report, we spotlight the work of the Massachusetts Educator Diversity Act Coalition to push for policy and practice change in diversifying the educator workforce in a cohesive and tactical way. We draw on perspectives shared during eleven, in-depth interviews with members representing the breadth of diversity at the coalition table and present findings on the conditions for success, the actions taken by the Educator Diversity Act Coalition, and outcomes and lessons learned from statewide efforts to infuse the voice of BILPOC students and educators into equity-focused policy and advocacy efforts.
Download the Educator Diversity Act white paper
Latino Education in the Time of COVID: The Pandemic’s Unique Impact on Latino Students and Families in Massachusetts
COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the Latino community. In order to highlight the Latino experience and identify needs and solutions, Latinos for Education gathered the perspective from about 350 Latinos in Massachusetts (Spanish-speaking families, teachers, school leaders, and multi-sector leaders) on how COVID-19 is uniquely impacting Latino students and families. We also asked Latinos to share insights for solutions to support the Latino community through this pandemic. The findings informed this report.
RESOURCES FOR ASPIRING EDUCATORS
The significance of having a Latino educator in the classroom is important not only to young Latinos, but to the increasingly diverse student population in the Commonwealth. By entering the teaching profession, Latinos play a critical role in creating inclusive learning environments and as role models for young Latinos. Various resources are available to Latinos interested in entering the teaching profession, including:
Tomorrow’s Teachers Scholarship Program
The Tomorrow’s Teachers Scholarship Program seeks to address the teacher shortage in Massachusetts and support individuals with up to $25,000 per year toward their college education. This scholarship makes it more affordable for those enrolling in a baccalaureate program or post-baccalaureate coursework, who intend to obtain their teaching license to pursue a career in a Massachusetts K-12 public school.
National Science Foundation MassTeach Scholarship
MassTeach is a program that is designed to recruit more teachers of color into K12 classrooms by intentionally partnering with community colleges. Students who are studying a STEM field at any of the fifteen Massachusetts community college and are interested in giving back to their community through teaching should consider applying to MassTeach.
DESE Teacher Incentives (including loan forgiveness)
To help energize and diversify our educational workforce and keep striving for high educational standards, Massachusetts offers a variety of incentives. These added benefits attract those looking to enter the field and current educators looking to advance their careers. Incentives are offered at the local, state, and federal level.
MEET JORGE FANJUL, OUR MASSACHUSETTS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Executive Director for Latinos for Education, Massachusetts Jorge Fanjul has a long history of tackling policy issues at a micro and macro level. Even as a New York native, Jorge feels a deep connection to Massachusetts because of its trailblazing history. He is working to tackle issues for our Latino communities both at local and national levels. Learn more about Jorge and his belief in giving our Latino community the support systems they need to flourish.
CONTACT US
