Report: Supporting Racialised Teachers

The webinar "Supporting Racialised Teachers" brought together four members as panelists from the SPARK Teachers community, a pan-European network of racialised educators working actively with anti-racism and anti-discrimination in schools.

Several key themes emerged and were discussed regarding the challenges faced by racialised teachers across Europe and strategies for creating more inclusive educational environments. This report summarises the main discussion points and offers recommendations for educational institutions seeking to better support their racialised staff members.

Understanding the landscape for racialised teachers in Europe

The webinar began with introductions from several SPARK Teachers members from different European countries, highlighting the diverse contexts in which racialised teachers work. The educators shared their experiences working in school systems that remain predominantly white despite increasingly diverse student populations. 

One panelist from Ireland specifically noted that "the teaching profession in Ireland is not so diverse," while another mentioned that "still in 2025, we're not seeing our school staff particularly our teaching and senior leadership staff just reflect our rising pupil population of the global majority".

The panelists emphasised that supporting racialised teachers isn't merely about representation but about addressing systemic racism within educational institutions and creating equitable opportunities for professional development and wellbeing. 

Demographics and representation

The panelists discussed the current underrepresentation of racialised teachers across European educational institutions. In many countries, the teaching workforce fails to reflect the diversity of the student population. This lack of representation creates numerous challenges, including isolation for the few racialised teachers who are often expected to be the sole representatives or experts on matters of race and diversity within their schools.

As one panelist noted, "I think from the UK perspective, we have been a multicultural country for so long and yet increasingly the black teachers and the racialised teachers who are in the classroom are leaving the classroom because they feel unsupported". This insight points to not only recruitment issues but also significant retention problems that need addressing.

Confronting systemic racism in educational settings

A major theme that emerged from the webinar was the challenge of confronting racism within educational settings. The panelists discussed how racialised teachers often face the difficult task of addressing racist remarks, approaches, or colonial curriculum elements in their schools. One panelist expressed that "it can be really difficult as the only one or one in a few racialised teachers to confront this because there can be a tendency to see the confrontation as the unprofessional behavior and not the racist remark".

The panelists emphasized that systemic racism manifests in various ways within educational institutions, from curriculum design to policy implementation and everyday interactions. They advocated for anti-racism strategies that go beyond superficial diversity initiatives to address the root causes of inequality in schools.

Anti-racism policies and strategies

The webinar highlighted the importance of formal anti-racism policies in schools. One panelist mentioned that in Denmark, "we are currently trying to push the municipality of Copenhagen to implement a requirement for all schools to have an anti-racism policy just like they have an anti-bullying policy". Anti-racism measures should be considered equally fundamental to creating safe and supportive learning environments.

The panelists also discussed conducting an assessment of existing anti-racism strategies within attendees' workplaces, asking participants if "the workplace that you are in whether it's a school or a union, an institution or an organisation, whatever you see yourself working in your daily life - do you have an anti-racism strategy or an anti-racism policy?". This question emphasised the need for structured, institutional approaches to combating racism rather than ad hoc or individualised responses.

Building community and support networks

The SPARK Teachers network itself exemplifies the importance of community building among racialised educators. The panelists described SPARK Teachers as "a cross European network of racialised teachers who all work in schools with students" who "work actively with anti-racism, anti-discrimination". This community provides crucial support, solidarity, and a space for sharing experiences and strategies.

The webinar put a focus on the fact that racialised teachers often feel isolated in predominantly white institutions and benefit greatly from connections with colleagues who understand their experiences. Creating these supportive communities helps racialised teachers navigate challenges, share resources, and advocate for change collectively. 

Professional development and resources

SPARK Teachers offers its members various resources and opportunities for professional growth. Membership perks include "a fully stocked resources centre," "personalised feedback, supervision, and coaching," and "monthly virtual get-togethers for professional and personal support". These resources help racialised teachers develop their practice while maintaining their wellbeing in potentially challenging environments.

Intersectionality and diverse experiences

The webinar acknowledged that racialised teachers are not a monolithic group, with experiences varying based on additional factors such as gender, class, immigrant background, and skin tone. This intersectional approach recognises the complexity of identity and the multiple forms of discrimination that individuals may face simultaneously.

One example discussed how racialised teachers sometimes connect with students of similar backgrounds in unique ways: "When I would ask [of children reporting a racist incident in school], did you tell your class teacher? They would be quick to let me know that no, they hadn't; and I think this came from the fact that maybe they felt like I would be able to relate to them". This highlights the valuable role racialised teachers can play in supporting students who might otherwise feel marginalised.

Teacher wellbeing and sustainability

The panelists emphasized the importance of wellbeing for racialised teachers who often carry additional emotional labour in educational settings. It was noted that supporting one's wellbeing is "preparatory work, right? To sustain your own well-being, your own health". This recognition of self-care as essential professional preparation rather than an optional extra reflects the understanding that racialised teachers often face unique stressors.

The webinar discussed that supporting racialised teachers requires attention to both professional development and personal wellbeing. Educational institutions must create environments where racialised teachers can thrive without bearing undue burdens related to diversity work or representation.

Conclusion

The SPARK Teachers webinar hosted by Educational Leadership Network Europe (ELNE) on Supporting Racialised Teachers revealed the complex challenges faced by racialised educators across Europe while also highlighting practical strategies for change. The discussion emphasised the need for systemic approaches to combat racism in educational settings, including formal anti-racism policies, supportive communities, and attention to teacher wellbeing.

For educational institutions seeking to better support racialised teachers, the webinar suggests several key actions: implementing comprehensive anti-racism policies, creating support networks for racialised staff, addressing representation gaps at all levels of leadership, and recognising the valuable perspectives and expertise that racialised teachers bring to education. By taking these steps, schools can work toward creating more equitable, inclusive environments where all teachers can thrive.

To learn more about supporting racialised teachers, educational institutions can connect with SPARK Teachers through Foundation ENAR, which offers resources, community building opportunities, and advocacy support for racial justice in education across Europe.