‘Unhealthy’ air quality expected in eastern Minnesota through Monday afternoon due to wildfire smoke

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Minnesota's student population has grown significantly more diverse over the past few decades. Today, nearly 40 percent of the state's K-12 students identify as students of color.

But, according to the Minnesota Department of Education, 

just 7 percent of the state’s teachers identify as teachers of color

The gap is even wider for Black educators

. While Black students make up about 12 percent of Minnesota's student population, Black teachers account for just 1.4 percent of the state's teaching workforce. And Black men make up only 0.5 percent of all K-12 teachers in the state.

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with leaders of Black Men Teach, a Twin Cities organization that’s working to recruit, prepare and support Black male elementary school teachers in Minnesota.

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Representation matters. And that applies to the classroom as well. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with teachers and the CEO of Black Men Teach, an organization that is focused on placing and retaining Black male teachers in the Twin Cities.

Minnesota's student population has grown significantly more diverse over the past few decades. Today, nearly 40 percent of the state's K-12 students identify as students of color.But, according to the Minnesota Department of Education, just 7 percent of the state’s teachers identify as teachers of color.The gap is even wider for Black educators. While Black students make up about 12 percent of Minnesota's student population, Black teachers account for just 1.4 percent of the state's teaching workforce. And Black men make up only 0.5 percent of all K-12 teachers in the state.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with leaders of Black Men Teach, a Twin Cities organization that’s working to recruit, prepare and support Black male elementary school teachers in Minnesota.

Why Minnesota needs more Black teachers

Nikhil Kumaran | MPR News

four people smiling in a broadcast studio

Why Minnesota needs more Black teachers

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