Paschal Space of Healing and Community: An Affinity Group for Catholic School Teachers of Color

As Catholic schools seek to recruit and retain more ethnoracially diverse faculties, we examine one site of potential support for Catholic school teachers of color--a racial affinity group. Using critical research methodology with qualitative data collection, we studied five teachers of color who engaged in weekly affinity group meetings, which were structured as Freirian culture circles and ran over a period of five months. Using a Catholic, critical framework on teacher education, we analyzed the data (culture circle recordings, written reflections, baseline and comparative interviews, along with classroom observations and debriefs) to examine how teachers' participation impacted their sense of community as Catholic school educators. We found that engagement in these spaces cultivated strong perceptions of community and solidarity for members through their experiences of authenticity, cultural understanding, professional development, and validation. Keywords: teachers of color, equity, teacher education