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C&I LECTURE | Faculty
"Beyond Beliefs" - Lani Horn discusses her research into the role of teacher communities in overcoming inequality ...
US NEWS | #7 2008
The College of Education rose to seventh place in this year's U.S. News & World Report rankings of graduate schools ...
News & Events
Feature Stories
Investing in the Future: University of Washington and Seattle Central Community College Pipeline for Teachers
Studies show that diverse teachers serve as role models and advocates, connect with families, and bridge linguistic as well as cultural differences. While 30% of Washington state students identify as racial or ethnic minorities, only 7% of Washington’s classrooms are taught by minority instructors.
By supporting the creation of scholarships for diverse teacher candidates, you can empower students from underrepresented populations to attain academic and professional success. Research indicates that aligning teacher demographics with that of student demographics increases the number of students graduating from school and continuing on to college.
The University of Washington College of Education and Seattle Central Community College rose to meet this challenge by partnering to create the Teacher Training Program.
This innovative program addresses the need for diversity in our classrooms by designing a training pipeline for bright, qualified individuals that begins in high school, follows students through community college, and finally allows them to transfer to the University of Washington to complete their training. The program recruits students who are interested in pursuing a career in education, and many students enter the program with previous experience in teaching environments.
Take, for example, current student Azeam. After a positive experience tutoring through the Team Read program, Azeam wanted to pursue the professional route to become a teacher. Another current student, Hannah, volunteered at a disabled children’s orphanage and taught English at a school in Korea.
"A well-prepared racially, linguistically, and ethnically diverse teacher corps is a key component to increasing the number of diverse students graduating from high school and attending college,” asserts Dean Patricia Wasley. “Studies show that diverse teachers can serve as role models and advocates, connect with families and communities, and bridge linguistic and cultural differences."
Many students enter the program with an intense desire to give back to their own communities. Says Jessica, who attended a Seattle school, "I have worked as a teacher's assistant and tutor for kids in grades K-5. I want to become a teacher and help more Samoans and other minority students like myself succeed in school.”
The Teacher Training Program recruits high school seniors from diverse backgrounds. In fact, the 2007-2008 students cohort included students from many different communities: Native American, Samoan, Cham, Thai/Lao, Chinese, Korean, European American, African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Indian.
Furthermore, fifty-three percent of the students in the 2007-2008 class were first-generation college students. Of the entire class, eighty-four percent attended urban schools throughout their education.
After finishing coursework at Seattle Central Community College, during which they receive individualized attention, these students finish their baccalaureate at the University of Washington and transition into the University of Washington College of Education’s Masters program. Once in the program, students are provided with high-level professional and personal development opportunities for future educators.
“By addressing the issue of unmet need for these teacher candidates,” states Wasley, “the investment will yield a positive return in the academic achievement and success of scores of deserving students.”
Click here to invest in scholarships for future teachers.
For more information, contact Margaret Ann Bollmeier via email or by telephone, 206-685-2678.
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