As the number of ethnically diverse students continues to outpace the number of ethnically diverse teachers, identifying research-based practices to redress this disproportionality remains a challenge. One best practice that is at the heart of Virginia State University’s teacher and school leader preparation programs is it implementation of a culturally responsive framework. Preparing teachers and school leaders who understand the impact of culture and trauma on students and their ability to achieve in schools socially and academically is the new work of Virginia State University’s principal preparation programs. In this session, participants will discover new ways to attract and retain ethnically diverse teachers who support the belief that ALL students have a right to equitable learning experiences and opportunities, regardless of their race, gender, affiliation, religion, or income. Participants will leave this session with a profoundly different approach to educating a new generation of culturally responsive teachers and school leaders and a roadmap on how to create this synergy in their respective schools.
