Kitchener high school teacher hopes to see more Black representation in school system

A Kitchener high school teacher says he hopes to see more Black representation inlocal school boards in the future.

Just over oneper cent of employees with the Waterloo Region District School Board identify as Black, while 92 per cent say they are white, according to a workforce census from 2019 that had a 40 per cent response rate.

"It's pretty astonishing when I look at those numbers and the length of time that I have been in this profession," Chris AshleytoldThe Morning Edition. Ashleyhas been an educator for more than two decades and is currentlya history teacher at Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate.

"I was hopingto see more colleagues that look like meto be teaching beside me."

Ashley, who is also thestaff leader of the African Heritage Club at the school, said he hopes his presence in the classroom shows Black youth "that they are capable."

"We have a place in every industry. In technology, in education and in higher education," he said.

"Looking at the studies, looking at the information, the rate of success goes up as those images are put in front of students. That they can be in that position."

Listen to the full interview below: