Pioneering the path towards a diverse teacher pipeline, The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) is delighted to declare the acquisition of a substantial $1.4 million grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This achievement represents a significant stride in their dedication to leadership, fostering educational diversity, and advancing teacher development. It firmly establishes the college as a leader in initiatives aimed at enhancing the recruitment and retention of educators, with a particular emphasis on nurturing diversity within the teaching profession.
Juliet Curci, Assistant Dean of College Access and Persistence, is a beacon of leadership and enthusiasm for this transformative project. Proposing the initiative and earning the endorsement of Senator Vincent Hughes, she underlines its comprehensive scope, explaining, "This initiative will target various stages of the educator pipeline. This includes high school students interested in teaching, early childhood educators, prospective and current undergraduate and graduate teacher education students, recent graduates of Temple's teacher education program and other early career educators. CEHD is excited to expand current collaborations between Temple and our various community partners in the city and across the state with these funds as we deepen and further our collective commitment to addressing the recruitment and retention of teachers of color." Juliet Curci's unwavering leadership mirrors CEHD's commitment to nurturing diverse and effective educators who take the lead in the evolving education landscape.
The grant will enable new and expanded programming at Temple University's Main and Harrisburg campuses. These initiatives will encompass a wide range of activities, including dual enrollment coursework, pre-college summer programs, intensive advising support, peer and professional mentorship, affinity groups, and professional development workshops geared toward empowering the next generation of educational leaders. Hundreds of individuals stand to benefit from ten collaborative project initiatives led by faculty and staff from various departments and units.
Senator Hughes spotlights the importance of this investment, asserting, "Senate Democrats have made it a priority to address Pennsylvania's teacher shortage crisis, which includes addressing the critical shortage of teachers who look like our Black and Brown students and can relate to their life experiences. This $1.4 million investment sends an obvious message - diverse teachers are needed, and we recognize the tremendous impact they make in our schools." Senator Hughes's commitment resonates with the college's mission to address teacher shortages and advocate for diverse teaching forces.
Monika Willams Shealey, Dean of the College of Education and Human Development, underscores the broader impact of this initiative, emphasizing its potential to equip educators to work effectively with all learners, particularly those with diverse needs. "With support from legislators like Senator Hughes, we are investing in pathways that lead to high school and community college graduates, as well as career changers, being prepared to work effectively with all learners, particularly those who come to school with a myriad of needs that extend beyond the borders of our school buildings." Dean Shealey's unwavering leadership aligns seamlessly with Temple CEHD's ongoing mission to produce education leaders who can make a difference in the lives of their students. Our dedication to cultivating reflective and compassionate educators who embrace diversity and inclusion is at the core of our mission to prepare education leaders for tomorrow.