“I Basically Just Walked Out”:

For us, by us: an examination of the unique experiences of Black women educators in K-12 schools

“…When sharing their lived experiences, Black women reported mistreatment in cases where they self-advocated or advocated for their students' needs (Griffin et al, 2022). The discrimination in their experiences pushed them to be penalized by their leaders and isolated by their white colleagues daily (Burkhard et al, 2022;Stanley, 2020b).…”

“…This action research reiterated the impact systemic racism across K-12 schools had on the experiences of Black women educators. The negative experiences Black women often endured positioned them as outsiders concerning collaboration with their white peers and needing racial affinity spaces and targeted supports that provided sufficient enhancements to their professional practices (Burkhard et al, 2022;Stanley, 2020b). Critical professional development and critical mentorship are necessary for advancing Black women in schools to support the distinctive navigation required to withstand the structural racism present (Kohli et al, 2022;Walls, 2022).…”

“…BWEs frequently experience scrutiny and silencing in institutions influenced by white supremacist standards (Burkhard et al, 2022). Their concerns are often marginalized, while those of white counterparts are prioritized, leading to feelings of disillusionment, insecurity, and burnout.…”