By: Joshua Varela, Director of Revenue at NeuroMaker

My love of technology started because of Mr. Rivera, my 6th-grade science teacher who led my school’s Lego robotics after-school program. Mr. Rivera had a unique way of making science and math both fun and engaging. Seeing such a positive Latino role model in Mr. Rivera let me know technology was a viable career for me. And it has been. 

I have spent the last decade of my career working in EdTech where innovation, imagination, and education coalesce to improve the educational experience for students. However, navigating the tech world as a Latino, I can say that there is a stark lack of diversity within the sector. 

To me, the issue of educator diversity and diversity in other sectors are related. Because of what Mr. Rivera did for me, diversity in the tech sector advanced by at least one person. 

It’s clear that when we make progress in educator diversity, we create progress in other sectors.

You see, not every Latino student has the opportunity to have a Mr. Rivera in their educational journey. In fact, while Latino students make up more than 20% of all students in Massachusetts, Latino teachers only make up 3% of all teachers in the Commonwealth, which means that many Latino students never get the life-changing experience of seeing themselves reflected in their educators. 

That is why I am dedicated to advocating for the Educator Diversity Act, a bill that would help close these representation gaps within the Massachusetts educator workforce, especially for Latino students. The way I see it, if more Latino students are taught by Latino teachers, they are more likely to dream big — to pursue careers in technology, in medicine, in aerospace, and in teaching as well. And that will ensure that we are strengthening our future workforce. It’s clear that educator diversity isn’t just an education issue, it is a workforce issue, and something that employers and industry leaders across the Commonwealth can and should support.

Support the Educator Diversity Act

 As a parent, I am increasingly concerned about the environment in which my child will learn  and what his classroom experience will entail. While I was fortunate enough to have experienced excellent teachers of color in my own life, the same can’t be said for some of the closest people in my life, including my wife who was never taught by a Latino educator. Seeing the difference in our experiences reinforced my dedication to ensure that future generations have the chance to learn from a range of diverse educators.

As a member of  the Organizing Alliance, I discovered that retaining teachers of color is another challenge we must face. Current Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives face resistance, especially in rural communities here in Massachusetts and that is why we need the Educator Diversity Act. This legislation would create more data transparency in how many new educators of color are entering the profession, how many of them stay, and in which districts. By having access to this data, education leaders can make more informed decisions about their retention strategies, and help keep more Latino and Black educators in the classroom.

The need for a highly-skilled labor force is undeniable, especially in Massachusetts. Exposing students to relevant skills and technologies is the gateway to achieving this. Educators are pivotal in this process, acting as catalysts in preparing students for a tech-driven future.

Recognizing that this issue cannot be solved in isolation, I advocate for a collective effort. We have a shared responsibility to pave the way for a more diverse teaching workforce and to inspire students to pursue their interests and aspirations. The Educator Diversity Act isn’t just about inclusion in the classroom; it’s about shaping a future where diversity fuels innovation and economic prosperity. It’s a journey towards a society where every student, regardless of their background, feels empowered and equipped to contribute to a rapidly evolving world.

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About Joshua Varela: 

Joshua, a proud son of two diasporas, began his career as a student advocate serving on the panel for educational policy at the New York City Department of Education. A first-generation equal opportunity student, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University at Buffalo and later pursued a Master’s Degree in International Affairs from the New School. Joshua’s professional journey led him to Samsung Electronics America, where he pioneered educational technology certificate programs for under-resourced communities as part of Samsung’s corporate responsibility division. Transitioning to BrainCo, a brain-machine interface technology company, Joshua currently serves as the Associate Director of Strategic Partnership, actively collaborating with district leaders across the Eastern United States to develop inclusive STEM programs that leverage emerging technology. His overarching mission is to democratize STEM/CTE/CS, advocating for accessible and equitable solutions nationwide.