Black Educators matter because “being educators is in our history.”

Tiffany Smith

Early childhood Educator, Adult Educator, Journalist, Activist and Researcher

https://www.abroadineducation.com/

https://www.instagram.com/abroad_in_ed/

“Black teachers are an endangered species and we’re at risk of being eliminated.” – Beverly Cole (1986) 

Born and raised in Alton, IL, Tiffany Smith’s humble beginnings started in the projects. When they moved into a house, she recalls a close knit, protected Black community. Later she witnessed White flight, although race wasn’t a prominent factor for her growing up. In fourth grade, she recalls a teacher that took a liking to her and would take her home to play with her daughter. In high school, Tiffany was a regular teenager, but she realized she wanted out of Alton. Northern Illinois University was her ticket out! She didn’t know what she wanted to major in but after babysitting her twin cousins, she realized she loved kids and early education was the way to go. 

“Live your life by design and not default.”

From humble beginnings to teaching abroad, Tiffany spent 10 years in early education, teaching in IL, MN, Morocco and Abu Dhabi! She’s now getting her PhD in Organization Development Policy & Development asking how we can keep African American teachers in education. She’s still developing her role in this space but envisions contract work partnering with schools in the recruiting, retention and restoration of Black educators. In her experience abroad, she enjoyed the shared sense of identity amongst the many shades of melanated people, and how they connected because of their differences. She wonders of a future where we don’t have to think about race. Tiffany hosts a podcast, “Abroad in Education”, speaking with African American EdPats about their experiences working internationally.

Check out Abroad in Education online at abroadineducation.com, Instagram & Twitter Abroad_In_Ed, and Abroad in Education on Facebook.