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Ä¢¹½´«Ã½'s Watson College of Education helped sponsor a community forum
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EOC Network

The Educators of Color Network is a school-university partnership initiative created to support the recruitment and retention of a more diverse teacher workforce in North Carolina.

UNCW’s Watson College of Education launched the EOC Network in 2022. The group is comprised of UNCW students, current and retired P-12 teachers and school leaders, and university faculty who work collaboratively to envision and facilitate activities to recruit students of color into the teaching profession, retain current educators of color and engage school partners in advocacy efforts to establish a broader, more diverse and inclusive network of professionals.

More than 150 future and current educators from across the state are participating in the EOC Network.

Focus on Diversity

Research tells us that diversity is a central component of success for students, educators, and schools. Belonging to and engaging with a diverse community of educators, school leaders and students leads to more positive outcomes for all learners. According to a 2018 report from the Learning Policy Institute, “Research shows that teachers of color help close achievement gaps for students of color and are highly rated by students of all races.” Diversity in the teacher workforce contributes to an increase in student performance, graduation rates, and aspirations to attend college. These benefits extend to White students who report feeling cared for and academically challenged by teachers.

Work of the EOC Network

The group hosts two meetings each semester, and shares news, events and information related to recruitment, retention, and belonging initiatives that build a more diverse teacher workforce. In addition, EOC work groups meet throughout the year to plan and implement initiatives related to the Network’s three core areas of focus: recruitment, retention and advocacy.

EOC Network Supports Local Affinity Groups

In 2022, the EOC Network introduced a Local Affinity Group Support Initiative, offering members $2,500 for the development of programs aligned to Network goals of teacher recruitment, retention and advocacy. Wayne County Schools, Jones County Schools and Carteret County Schools participated in the inaugural initiative.