DORCAS UMARU
DORCAS UMARU
The Solutions — Building a Diverse Future
The Solutions — Building a Diverse Future
The Solutions — Building a Diverse Future
Uniondale Rotary Club donated English/Spanish Dictionaries to every third grader in the district. Photo credit: Uniondale School District
Uniondale Rotary Club donated English/Spanish Dictionaries to every third grader in the district.
Photo credit: Uniondale School District
In addressing the lack of black teachers in Long Island’s elementary public schools, policymakers and advocates are pushing for a combination of innovative policy proposals and community initiatives. According to Derek Stein, policy director of Erase Racism, a nonprofit focused on racial equity in housing and education, these solutions aim to create an environment that fosters diversity in education.
One promising avenue is the development of affordable housing initiatives specifically designed for teachers and school staff. The concept of Below Market 80% Area Median Income (AMI) housing has gained traction, with models successfully implemented in cities like Baltimore and Newark.
An analysis by Brookings, a nonpartisan policy research organization, Newark’s Teachers Village, a mixed-use development offering 203 affordable housing units for educators, improved retention by 2018 and fostered local entrepreneurship.The project, fully occupied with a waiting list by 2018, improved teacher retention by addressing cost-of-living barriers while fostering a community of local entrepreneurs.
Stein emphasized the potential impact.
“Imagine providing affordable housing options for teachers in areas like Hempstead. This could resolve the issue of teachers being priced out of their communities and ultimately lead to a more diverse teaching staff,” he said.
Larry Levy, executive dean of Hofstra University’s National Center for Suburban Studies, noted state-level financial support to ensure equal funding for segregated school districts is critical.
According to New York’s 2023 education budget, districts like Hempstead receive $10,000 less per student than wealthier counterparts.
Levy stressed that, “more money must be allocated per student in these districts to improve education quality, facilities, and resources,” he said.
Levy also highlighted this includes investing in advanced technology, high-quality textbooks, and professional development programs that can elevate the educational experience for all students.
A 2025 Learning Policy Institute, a nonprofit education research organization study showed that targeted funding can reduce achievement gaps by up to 20%.
Levy noted that programs linking students to internships and community leaders are critical to tackling Long Island’s teacher diversity crisis.
He said, “connecting students with local leaders and internships empowers young people in minority districts. We need to cultivate a pipeline of future educators from within these communities. It is about creating role models who can give back.”
A 2024 analysis by the Brookings Institution, a nonpartisan policy research organization underline the urgency of these solutions, stressing that stakeholder collaboration among governors, educational leaders, and community organizations, is critical to addressing systemic barriers. Without such partnerships, the report warns, efforts to diversify Long Island’s teaching workforce will falter.
Nicole Brown, president of the Hempstead Classroom Teachers Association, noted federal cuts to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, increased by a lack of federal support for Title I, a federal program providing funding to support low-income school districts, and special education programs for individuals with disabilities, pose risks. She argued these cuts directly undermine efforts to recruit and retain teachers of color in high-need districts.
The Hempstead Union, alongside state and national unions, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for dismantling DEI and will also be conducting rallies to advocate for funding that supports diversity and equity in education. The lawsuit — still active in federal court — alleges systemic discrimination and seeks to restore the financing of critical diversity initiatives. Advocates demand equitable resource allocation and accountability for districts disproportionately affected by federal cuts.
Brown emphasized resilience in these challenges, arguing that diverse educators benefit all students.
“We will not stand idly by while our students’ futures are at stake. This fight is about more than funding; it is about ensuring every child sees themselves as reflected in their educators,” she said.
Brown also added, “when classrooms mirror the diversity of our communities, students learn empathy and collaboration. That is how we build a better future.”
To address systemic barriers, Hempstead schools have partnered with local organizations such as community ophthalmologists that offer free eye exams.
Brown pointed out the need for holistic support.
“Many parents cannot afford basic necessities. Supporting students beyond the classroom, whether through vision care or mentorship programs, fosters a learning environment where every child can thrive,” Brown said.
These efforts align with broader calls for systemic change. The path forward requires tackling housing, funding, and community engagement.
Parents like Mary Allen, whose fourth-grade daughter Mekenzie attends Barack Obama Elementary School in Hempstead, voice concerns about how these systemic issues directly affect classrooms.
“My daughter’s extracurricular activities are vital to her growth, but with the recent budget cuts, I worry that these programs could vanish. The school has good teachers but losing funding risks losing the opportunities that keep kids like my daughter thriving in underfunded classrooms,” she said.
Addie Blanco-Harvey, a trustee for the Uniondale Union Free School District, remains optimistic about grassroots progress.
“Change starts with listening to students and families. When we center their voices, we build a system that works for everyone,” Blanco-Harvey said.
Experts highlighted Long Island’s ability to diversify its teaching workforce through affordable housing initiatives, equitable funding reforms, and community partnerships depends on sustained political commitment, consistent policy implementation, and collaboration between stakeholders to address structural barriers and navigate resistance to change.
In addressing the lack of black teachers in Long Island’s elementary public schools, policymakers and advocates are pushing for a combination of innovative policy proposals and community initiatives. According to Derek Stein, policy director of Erase Racism, a nonprofit focused on racial equity in housing and education, these solutions aim to create an environment that fosters diversity in education.
One promising avenue is the development of affordable housing initiatives specifically designed for teachers and school staff. The concept of Below Market 80% Area Median Income (AMI) housing has gained traction, with models successfully implemented in cities like Baltimore and Newark.
An analysis by Brookings, a nonpartisan policy research organization, Newark’s Teachers Village, a mixed-use development offering 203 affordable housing units for educators, improved retention by 2018 and fostered local entrepreneurship.The project, fully occupied with a waiting list by 2018, improved teacher retention by addressing cost-of-living barriers while fostering a community of local entrepreneurs.
Stein emphasized the potential impact.
“Imagine providing affordable housing options for teachers in areas like Hempstead. This could resolve the issue of teachers being priced out of their communities and ultimately lead to a more diverse teaching staff,” he said.
Larry Levy, executive dean of Hofstra University’s National Center for Suburban Studies, noted state-level financial support to ensure equal funding for segregated school districts is critical.
According to New York’s 2023 education budget, districts like Hempstead receive $10,000 less per student than wealthier counterparts.
Levy stressed that, “more money must be allocated per student in these districts to improve education quality, facilities, and resources,” he said.
Levy also highlighted this includes investing in advanced technology, high-quality textbooks, and professional development programs that can elevate the educational experience for all students.
A 2025 Learning Policy Institute, a nonprofit education research organization study showed that targeted funding can reduce achievement gaps by up to 20%.
Levy noted that programs linking students to internships and community leaders are critical to tackling Long Island’s teacher diversity crisis.
He said, “connecting students with local leaders and internships empowers young people in minority districts. We need to cultivate a pipeline of future educators from within these communities. It is about creating role models who can give back.”
A 2024 analysis by the Brookings Institution, a nonpartisan policy research organization underline the urgency of these solutions, stressing that stakeholder collaboration among governors, educational leaders, and community organizations, is critical to addressing systemic barriers. Without such partnerships, the report warns, efforts to diversify Long Island’s teaching workforce will falter.
Nicole Brown, president of the Hempstead Classroom Teachers Association, noted federal cuts to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, increased by a lack of federal support for Title I, a federal program providing funding to support low-income school districts, and special education programs for individuals with disabilities, pose risks. She argued these cuts directly undermine efforts to recruit and retain teachers of color in high-need districts.
The Hempstead Union, alongside state and national unions, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for dismantling DEI and will also be conducting rallies to advocate for funding that supports diversity and equity in education. The lawsuit — still active in federal court — alleges systemic discrimination and seeks to restore the financing of critical diversity initiatives. Advocates demand equitable resource allocation and accountability for districts disproportionately affected by federal cuts.
Brown emphasized resilience in these challenges, arguing that diverse educators benefit all students.
“We will not stand idly by while our students’ futures are at stake. This fight is about more than funding; it is about ensuring every child sees themselves as reflected in their educators,” she said.
Brown also added, “when classrooms mirror the diversity of our communities, students learn empathy and collaboration. That is how we build a better future.”
To address systemic barriers, Hempstead schools have partnered with local organizations such as community ophthalmologists that offer free eye exams.
Brown pointed out the need for holistic support.
“Many parents cannot afford basic necessities. Supporting students beyond the classroom, whether through vision care or mentorship programs, fosters a learning environment where every child can thrive,” Brown said.
These efforts align with broader calls for systemic change. The path forward requires tackling housing, funding, and community engagement.
Parents like Mary Allen, whose fourth-grade daughter Mekenzie attends Barack Obama Elementary School in Hempstead, voice concerns about how these systemic issues directly affect classrooms.
“My daughter’s extracurricular activities are vital to her growth, but with the recent budget cuts, I worry that these programs could vanish. The school has good teachers but losing funding risks losing the opportunities that keep kids like my daughter thriving in underfunded classrooms,” she said.
Addie Blanco-Harvey, a trustee for the Uniondale Union Free School District, remains optimistic about grassroots progress.
“Change starts with listening to students and families. When we center their voices, we build a system that works for everyone,” Blanco-Harvey said.
Experts highlighted Long Island’s ability to diversify its teaching workforce through affordable housing initiatives, equitable funding reforms, and community partnerships depends on sustained political commitment, consistent policy implementation, and collaboration between stakeholders to address structural barriers and navigate resistance to change.