Under Pressure: The Hidden Cost of Being a Black Teacher in Mississippi

This project explores the growing mental health crisis among Black educators in rural Southern communities, with a focus on Mississippi. As political attacks on public education escalate—through efforts to dismantle the Department of Education, ban books, and censor curriculums—Black teachers find themselves on the front lines of an increasingly hostile landscape.

For decades, these educators have done far more than teach. They’ve served as role models, community anchors, and protectors of inclusive history in schools that often overlook or erase it.

But today, that legacy is under siege. Many report extreme burnout, high blood pressure, anxiety, and depression—all while trying to support students who face similar systemic challenges. With limited resources and rising expectations, they must choose between their well-being and their commitment to their students.

Through in-depth interviews and field reporting in Mississippi, this project highlights the personal toll of being a Black educator in the South. It reveals a powerful story of resilience, sacrifice, and resistance—and calls attention to the urgent need for systemic change. These teachers are not just fighting for fair pay or respect—they’re fighting to protect the future of public education itself.