Case study: teacher believes failed promotion was racially motivated
Carla, a secondary school teacher from the South East, believes she has been looked over for promotion, in particular progression on the main scale, as a result of racial discrimination.
She says: “I changed jobs three years ago from a school where I had to deal with a lot of discrimination. If I was a ‘white’ colleague I believe I would have been part of the senior team, or a least a head of department, as promised to me earlier on in my role there.”
Carla’s lack of career development left her with reduced confidence in her abilities as a teacher, and feeling very stressed as a result. She dealt with her situation by talking to her union representative as well as her family and friends.
Her union told her about Teacher Support Network and through the online coaching service one of the charity’s qualified coaches helped her to plan ways to overcome the difficulties she was facing at work.
Carla says: “I eventually decided to leave my previous role and the school I am working in at the moment values all staff regardless of their racial background. My confidence has improved and I was given the opportunity to complete the course ‘Investing in Diversity’, which allowed me time to meet with other BME teachers.”
