Skip to main content

DPP Educator Memo BIPOC Perspective

Page 1

INTRODUCTION In the winter of 2023, the Butler Institute 1 conducted a series of first round interviews with 21 Denver Preschool Program (DPP) educators to better understand their lived experience. A follow-up interview was offered to 14 educators who identified as Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color (BIPOC). Overall, 12 DPP BIPOC educators agreed to a follow-up interview, conducted by the same evaluator to increase rapport. These follow up interviews explored personal identity and workplace experiences, including those related to systemic racism and interpersonal bias, educator strengths, and the role of DPP and the larger system in supporting BIPOC educators. We have analyzed major themes from these 12 BIPOC follow-up interviews below.

KEY INTERVIEW FINDINGS •

Our respondents highlighted that BIPOC educators bring many strengths to their workplace, including cultural awareness and empathy for the children and families in their care. DPP’s BIPOC educators identify in meaningful and diverse ways across racial and ethnic continuums.

The Butler Institute for Families at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work aims to create equitable, effective, and innovative systems in which children, youth, and families thrive. We work throughout Colorado and nationwide to provide human services research, evaluation, capacity building, workforce development, and consultation in the areas of early childhood, child welfare, tribal child welfare, and behavioral health. 1


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
DPP Educator Memo BIPOC Perspective by DenverPreschoolProgram - Issuu