With many schools across the nation examining their DEI (Diversity, Equality and Inclusion) policies, some alarming statistics emerged, specifically when it came to mathematics teachers’ diversity. According to NCTQ.org (The National Council on Teacher Quality), 57% of Black educators fail to pass their state license exams on the initial attempt. which are based on math content skills. Many just quit at the first failure and those who persist, must retake after more fees and time. This reduces entrants into the classroom, due to failure to train well enough, early enough. This shocking statistic exemplifies the need for much-needed training for racialized math teachers. Shocking to know nationally, we lose 25% of the entire cohort of all races.

In racially diverse communities, it is proven advantageous to students when the teaching staff represents the diversity of the student body they are teaching. Yet our country desperately needs more well trained educators who were taught HOW to teach this math at the Elementary level. Again, it is early proficiency that matters.

Early career support

We believe the best place to start helping racialized mathematics teachers is at the start of their careers, which at the latest occurs when they attend Teacher College. This support should ideally be available at the college level, where diversion, equality and inclusion needs can be addressed through initiatives that assist minority students who choose teaching as a career. With ongoing teacher shortages in the public education system in the U.S., it’s imperative minority teachers receive deep math training to address the teacher shortage with improved retention. Any lack of diversity in certain school districts around the country is impacted by turnover. At Community Math Training, we believe quality and depth of our hands-on training does drive retention; teacher training is proven today to be lacking in effectiveness. CMT is a free investment and the best thank you to us comes from effort driven results to aid teachers.

Later career support

Becoming a math teacher is no easy feat and Elementary teachers have multiple disciplines to acquire skills! With any a multi-step process to earn their Bachelor’s degree in math or any other subfield, we intend to be a deep resource for every teachers to access in every classroom. Experrts have assessed this method and content through Algebra 1 in our portfolio and stated " anything and everyting you need to teach at the grade level can be found in our portfolio. Workbooks are but a piece, but a proven vital piece to have full mastery.

To ensure diversity in the classroom and encourage people of color to choose teaching math as a career, they must be given the tools to succeed in the classroom.

Promoting a culture of DEI in the classroom

Teachers, whether they belong to a minority group or not, need to inform themselves on black, brown and indigenous histories. Small changes in lesson planning can also begin to address DEI issues in the classroom. Students need to feel safe to learn. This means teachers creating an environment where they can explore interesting problems, struggle with concepts and share ideas in a group. Tailoring math lessons to the students interests and needs and personalizing lessons to their identity will also make math learning more accessible.

Teaching all students mathematics within diverse settings enhances the mathematics they learn, as well as their skills at listening to, valuing, analyzing, evaluating, and incorporating a broad range of views.

How Community Math Training can help

When students are struggling, they (and their parents) turn to the math teacher for guidance and help. But where does the teacher turn for clear-cut "how to" help? Community Math Training was born out of the needs math teachers experience in the classroom. Our workbooks are specifically formulated to engage the learner with content-targeted topics that provide step-by-step instructions and tools that support understanding for students.

Our materials empower students, parents and teachers to tackle struggles in the classroom and supplement curriculum materials. Written and created by professional educators and Masters Plus in in STEM fields, these workbooks can turn a struggle and dislike of math into student success, all needed early with avoiding more failures.

Community Math Training is dedicated to increasing diversity in the classroom, both from a student and teacher perspective. We believe our work levels the playing field and creates an environment where math can be taught and learned in a productive manner that ensures student and teacher success.