Diversifying Staff for Improved Outcomes
June 01, 2025
One of the most pressing challenges facing education systems today is addressing the systemic gaps in student achievement and well-being, particularly for students of color and those living in poverty. These gaps are often the result of historical inequities and structural barriers. While the importance of staff racial diversity in education is widely supported by research, efforts to increase workforce diversity in schools have become a topic of debate in the current political and social climate.
Despite this, the evidence remains clear: Increasing the diversity of our teaching and administrative staff leads to better outcomes for students. A growing body of research underscores the significant academic and social benefits that students experience when they have teachers and leaders who reflect their backgrounds and experiences.
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This essay is part of a series called "Winning Ideas from Winning Superintendents." To view the other essays in the series, visit the June publication page.
As a central part of the applications for the National Superintendent of the Year program that 萝莉网manages annually, every state-level nominee is required to complete a series of four essays. The prompts require each superintendent to draw on the totality of their experiences over time to capture in words their leadership for learning philosophy and accomplishments, public communication skills, community involvement and professionalism.
Each of the submitted essays, running 1,000 words or less, captures the sharp thinking and meritorious actions taken by those leaders or the school systems they oversee.
In the pages that follow, we鈥檝e dubbed them 鈥渨inning ideas鈥� from 18 of the 49 state-level honorees in 2025 (Hawaii does not have a state applicant) in the National Superintendent of the Year program.
鈥� Jay P. Goldman
Full Roster of State Honorees:鈥俆he limitations of space prevent us from featuring every educator recognized in the 2025 National Superintendent of the Year program. A complete roster of each state鈥檚 award winner, along with their biographies and photos, can be found on the .
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