Equity and inclusion: Finding strength through teacher diversity

Abstract

In many Western countries, the student populations are largely ethno-culturally diversified due to large inflow of migrants. Despite this, the teaching workforce in these countries tends to be predominantly white. The large disparity between students and teachers has implications for equity and inclusive education. In this paper, we argue that a more diverse teacher workforce – particularly migrant teachers – can help to strengthen inclusiveness in schools along with the increasing diversity of the students in those countries. This ensures that students from diverse backgrounds can have their needs and voices heard and understood in their schools. It also allows migrant students to find their role models in schools as well as in societies. Simultaneously, it is critical to retain highly skilled migrant teachers in the workforce through the creation of more inclusive school policies, systems and overall school culture.