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In the 20 years since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005, the city’s education system has undergone profound changes, including a dramatic reduction in its Black teaching workforce.
Before the hurricane, New Orleans public schools predominantly employed Black teachers who were deeply rooted in the community.
After Katrina, more than 90% of these educators were terminated as the state took control of the failing school system, transitioning many schools to charters and hiring newer, often out-of-state teachers.
This shift wiped out unions led by Black women with long service histories.
The loss of Black teachers, who served as role models and cultural anchors for the majority Black student body, has had lasting negative effects on students’ educational environment and success.
While Black teachers now constitute a smaller portion of the workforce compared to pre-Katrina levels, community-led initiatives like Black Education for New Orleans (Be Nola) and charter groups like InspireNola aim to increase Black leadership in schools and create culturally affirming educational spaces.
These efforts focus on teacher development, Black governance, and embedding Black history and cultural competency into lessons.
The struggle highlights the complex interplay of disaster-driven reform, racial equity, and community empowerment in education.