Educator Diversity Advocacy Council

We craft meaningful experiences for educators of color in Tennessee to amplify their voices, advocate for equitable policies and practices, and expose them to leadership opportunities.

We are committed to elevating the voices and experiences of diverse educators in Tennessee.

The mission of TECA is to amplify the voice, presence, and support for educators of color while remaining student-centered and solutions-oriented. Additionally, not only do students of color deserve educators that resemble them in the classroom, they also need the same individuals advocating on their and their communities’ behalf in education policy. This ensures that people with shared experiences (educators of color were former students of color) are addressing issues that take into consideration the inequities and disparities students of color face that are often overlooked in policy when Tennessee’s student population is viewed as a whole.

When educators are equipped with knowledge of policies that dictate operations in schools, in addition to advocating for policies that support equity in education, they are better prepared to engage and be passionate about the work they are doing in classrooms. This increases accountability across systems in addition to allow educators to see the connection between the work taking place outside the classroom that affects what takes place inside the classroom. Ultimately, these efforts develop more effective teachers and opportunities that nurture student growth and success.