Roma are one of the largest and most discriminated minorities in Europe (European Commission, 2020). In the Czech Republic, where they make up 2.3% of the total population (Government Council for Roma Minority Affairs, 2022), Roma have low educational achievement – e.g. four out of five Roma do not complete upper secondary education (FRA, 2022). In the spirit of the slogan 'Nothing about us without us' and inclusive approaches that support empowerment in minority education (Ryder, Rostas, Taba, 2014), this study focuses on the role of ethnicity in education from the perspective of Roma teaching staff. The research was based on interviews with 20 Roma teachers and teaching assistants, and partial results were subsequently discussed in a focus group with Roma teaching staff. The data analysis shows the benefits of minority ethnicity from the perspective of Roma educators in four areas: a) By their very presence, Roma educators promote multiculturalism in the school environment and help with the acceptance of Roma identity among the teaching staff. B) They provide a safe environment, minority language support, and serve as positive role models for Roma students. C) Through their knowledge of Roma culture, and often through their understanding of the "culture of social exclusion", they contribute to the development of competences among other teachers. D) They enhance the school's community role in relation to Roma parents. In summary, the research provides significant arguments for further support in the employment and professional training of Roma educators.

European Commission. 2020. A Union of Equality: EU Roma strategic framework for equality, inclusion and participation (Communication from the Commision to the European Parliament and the Council). https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/combatting-discrimination/roma-eu/roma-equality-inclusion-and-participation-eu_en FRA – European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights. 2022. Roma in 10 European Countries – Main Results. https://fra.europa.eu/cs/publication/2022/roma-survey-findings Government Council for Roma Minority Affairs. 2022. Zpráva o stavu romské menšiny v České republice za rok 2021 (Report on the State of the Roma Minority in the Czech Republic 2021). https://vlada.gov.cz/cz/ppov/zalezitosti-romske-komunity/aktuality/zprava-o-stavu-romske-mensiny-v-ceske-republice-za-rok-2021-204244/ Ryder, A. R., I. Rostas, and M. Taba. 2014. “‘Nothing about Us without Us’: The Role of Inclusive Community Development in School Desegregation for Roma Communities.” Race Ethnicity and Education 17 (4): 518–539. doi:10.1080/13613324.2014.885426.