Guiding Lights: A Young Black Woman's Path in Children's Education | Women's History Month -Q&A
Everyone say hello to Ciera. Community Dot connector. Florist. Dog Mom.
Notabadlife: Ciera, thank you so much for interviewing with notabadlife. When I asked you to join us I assumed you were a teacher because you’re so involved with children.
Can you tell us a little bit about your role in education?
Ciera: Certainly! As the Director of Admissions and Community Partnerships/Engagement, my role encompasses overseeing the admissions process, conducting interviews with prospective students and their families, and ensuring a structured sequence of steps leading to student admission. Additionally, I serve as one of the key representatives of the school, coordinating after-school activities for students and fostering connections with resources both within and outside our community.
Notabadlife: She wears many hats! Now, The average age difference for teachers in the US is 42+ years old and the average race is 68.8% white. You don't fit that demographic and by personal experience, when there are less people that look like you, the more challenges you face.
Along with the amount of work you do, I'm sure being a young black woman in education can come with its own challenges.
What are some common barriers you face as a young black woman in education?
Ciera: I perceive the existence of ageism in the workplace. Being one of the youngest members of my team, I often find that my expertise in certain areas, unrelated to student matters, is occasionally doubted because of my age.
When the topic of agesim is brought up, not too many automatically think that agesim in the workplace affects young workers. Professor Dominic Abrams at the University of Kent, explained to Harvard Business Law. “It’s true that people often apply patronizing stereotypes to older workers and so they are often assumed to be less employable. But younger people tend to be more exposed to all forms of prejudice and discrimination than older people — racism, sexism, and ageism.”
The University of Rhode Island lists Age Diversity and Workplace places challenges with one challenge explaining, "When working with older workers, younger workers do not feel valued or that their input is respected because of their age. Some younger workers may feel they are treated like a student or even a son or daughter by their older co-workers. They may resent the greater authority that their older co-workers enjoy."
However, I want to highlight that I possess nearly seven years of education and have gained diverse experience working within the School District of Philadelphia's Public Schools, Independent Schools, and Nonprofit organizations.
She knows what she's doing 🤩
Notabadlife: But with those barriers, education is rewarding. Working in education is being dedicated to showing children their potential, steering them the right way, while also allowing them to have a safe space to make mistakes, to be hopeful, and to be creative.
That's not an easy job. What are some life lessons working with children has taught you?
Ciera: How hypocritical you become as you age.
Many adults who work with children eventually forget that they were once in their shoes. They forget the relatability to the challenges of missing homework, trying to fit in, or dealing with home problems that impact learning. Adults forget their own childhood experiences and unintentionally create distance from students they could connect with. I take pride in my awareness of this dynamic and strive to maintain personal connections with students.
Mentorship and being a supportive listener, particularly for our Black and Brown students, allows me to confront any biases or hypocrisy I may have as an adult.
Perhaps this is because I am closer to their age and generation, but more importantly, it stems from my commitment to being the educator each individual student needs me to be.
Notabadlife: Beautifully said. Also, as we grow, some of those struggles that children deal with coming of age do not end completely. They take new forms as adults. Age makes us so judgey, when it's like you said, we've all been there!
Thank you, Ciera for committing to caring.
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