Latinas Can Build the World
We Want to Leave Behind
By Amanda Fernandez
CEO and Founder of Latinos for Education
¡Punto Final!
As Latinas, we often navigate workplaces and industries where we
are the only ones in the room who look like us and have a similar
upbringing as ours. For me, that’s been the case multiple times in
the education sector. Whether I was sitting on the board of a nonprofit
organization or an education board, I am often the lone Latina that has to make
sure the voice and needs of our Latino community are heard. That shouldn’t be
the case, especially when it comes to who represents our community in our
nation’s education system.
Latinos represent 1 in 4 of all students in our public schools, but only 9
percent of all teachers and 9 percent of all principals nationwide identify as
Latinx. This is a sobering statistic that impacts education and career outcomes
for Latinos. It’s also a statistic that we have the power to change and that’s why
I launched Latinos for Education.
The proposition was simple: our education system will be stronger when
Latino students, and their families, see adults in their schools that look like them;
and when the voice of Latinos is shaping education policy.
In our work with Latino leaders through our fellowship programs, we hear
echoes of the same story playing out from generation to generation. Most tell us
that they were fortunate if they had one Latino teacher during their entire
academic journey, many had none. This lack of representation creates an
environment where Latino students feel invisible or like they’re a problem that
needs fixing.
But the research tells us that academic performance and career aspirations
improve when students have teachers of similar backgrounds who can serve as
role models and affirm their abilities. The validation students receive by Latino
educators builds self-confidence among students who may doubt their academic
potential. Our fellows often tell us how it was the one Latinx educator in their
lives who helped them see college as a possibility, and helped them make it
a reality.
However, being the only voice can be taxing. 43% of Latino educators end
up leaving the profession within their first five years because they don’t feel
supported enough and many don’t see opportunities for advancement within
their school districts. This is especially true for Latina educators, and the
COVID-19 pandemic has added extra pressure to those they were already
juggling. Latinas in our programs tell us about how they often have to serve as
their school’s parent engagement coordinator, chief diversity officer, translator,
on top of being an educator; and never get compensated for doing that extra
work or get overlooked for promotions.
Through Latinos for Education we are working to transform the education
system so it not only welcomes more Latino educators, but it supports them in
their careers to go on to be principals, superintendents, and school board
members. The pandemic has made it clear that we need educators and
education leaders that understand the Latino community, and now we are
working to pass laws and change practices that give Latinos a seat at the table.
The next generation of Latino students and educators are relying on us to make
it happen and con ganas, we can.
LS
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Amanda Fernandez is the CEO and Founder of Latinos for Education, the first Latino-founded and led national organization dedicated
to creating leadership pathways for emerging Latino education leaders and diversifying education nonprofit boards. She is a Trustee of
the Board with the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and Roxbury Community College. El Planeta has
twice named her one of the 100 most influential Hispanics in Massachusetts and she is a Senior Fellow at FutureEd. Amanda has over
25 years of experience in the areas of recruiting, diversity, organization development, change management, strategic planning, and
Latino community relations.
48 www.latinastyle.com LATINAStyle V ol. 27, No. 5, 2021
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