A new class of Temple Education Scholars is ready to start their vibrant college journeys and continue to inspire others. The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at Temple University celebrated the completion of its sixth Temple Education Scholars cohort with a special celebration. The event, held on Main Campus on June 13, honored the achievements of 14 high school seniors who completed the program, emphasizing their dedication and future prospects. 

TES is a dual enrollment program designed to prepare high school seniors for potential college majors in education and careers as classroom teachers or other education professionals. The program is a partnership between the CEHD and the School District of Philadelphia.  

"Students can earn 15 college credits at no cost to them. They leave TES well-prepared and confident in the pursuit of postsecondary education, given the rigor and the pace of their college courses taken this year," said Juliet Curci, assistant dean of college access and persistence initiatives. "We want them to have a transformative experience, one that shapes their beliefs in themselves as learners, scholars, leaders, future college graduates and possible future educators."  

Members of the sixth TES cohort self-reported over 90 college and university acceptances. All 14 scholars were admitted to Temple University, with 10 officially committing to Temple. Four of these students will be majoring in programs within the College of Education and Human Development.  

"This group received over $300,000 in scholarships from financial aid across all of the colleges and universities they were accepted to, and nearly all of the scholars received full-tuition scholarships to Temple," shared Rachel Gerberick, TES program manager. 

Curci shared her pride in the scholars' hard work and the significance of the financial support that they received. She further added, "when we looked at all the students' financial aid packages, we were thrilled to find that between federal Pell grants, PHEAA grants, and institutional aid from Temple, CEHD and our donors, we could cover the full tuition for students majoring in CEHD programs. This means they are coming to Temple tuition-free."  

Thanks to donor support, each of the scholars who completed this year's program also received an iPad to use as a tool during their college journey. 

Over the year, TES students have built a network of peers and mentors to support them both academically and professionally. These meaningful relationships will continue to be valuable long after their time in the TES program. 

"Your network is your net worth," said Hazel Vega, a Philadelphia High School for Girls graduate and a future CEHD Owl, majoring in early elementary education. Vega also expressed her gratitude for the support she received through TES as a first-generation college student. "I didn't know how to apply for scholarships or what FAFSA was. They [TES staff and professors] really helped me through the college application process and taught me time management."  

Reflections from TES participants added a personal touch to the celebration. Jackson Storey, a Paul Robeson High School graduate who is heading to Shippensburg University, shared how TES taught him the importance of staying organized and proactive. "TES showed me that I have to be on the ball. I have to work. I have to get this stuff done or I'll fall behind," Storey said. 

Raymond Fields, the chief talent officer at the Pennsylvania Department of Education, delivered inspiring remarks during the celebration. "Community and a village are everything," Fields said, also acknowledging the significant impact of the wraparound support in TES. 

Fields also emphasized the importance of educators of color and praised the TES program for addressing the teacher shortage crisis and diversifying the education workforce. He said he believes that the impact of having educators who reflect the student population's diversity is paramount. In addition, the celebration recognized the broader support system that contributed to the scholars' success, including faculty, staff, donors and family members.  

The 2024 celebration has demonstrated the deep impact of the program on students' lives and the future of education in Pennsylvania. Now, the TES program looks forward to welcoming its 2025 cohort. With continued support from donors and the Temple community, TES is going to nurture the next generation of educators and leaders. 

The livestream of 2024 TES end of year celebration can be viewed on YouTube.