State data reveals teacher diversity doesnt mirror student population in Tennessee schools [Video]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – New Tennessee State Collaborative on Education Reform (SCORE) statistics revealed racial gaps among Tennessee teachers and their students.

The data shows that Black students make up 41% of the state student population, while 23% of their teachers are Black. Similarly, the percentage of Hispanic students is 18%, compared to 2% of Hispanic teachers.

Lydia Schumake said the statistics are startling and have panned decades. While she says not many teachers looked like her while growing up, she did have one.

”My favorite teacher is Ms. Deborah Grimes,” she said. “To this day I still speak to her. She was my first African American teacher that I could remember, and she actually took the time to connect with me.”

Years have passed, and Schumake hopes to become someone’s “Ms. Grimes.”

“I hope to be that resource that I did not have,” she said.

Without representation, Schumake said …