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Cohort members recently attended the first organizational
meeting for fall classes and learned more about the nuts and
bolts of the program. Cohort members will attend five
semesters of University of Toledo coursework held at Jones
Leadership Academy and culminating in an Associate of Arts
degree. Those who want to be eligible for a State of Ohio
Teaching License will then go onto campus to complete a
Bachelor’s of Education degree.
What makes the Associate degree unique? All students receive
a 22 percent tuition scholarship for each of the five
semesters, and they work together to master a curriculum
based on state-of-the-art research on effective urban
education.
Courses include African American Culture, African
Civilizations and two semesters of Spanish language –
cultural knowledge essential to being culturally relevant in
today’s global world. Cohort members see their participation
not just as going to school, but as a mission: Nicole Leach
noted, “I am proud to have this unique experience to impact
young students’ lives.”
Though graduates will not have any obligation to teach in
Toledo, most of the cohort members already live and work in
Toledo, and most intend to stay. As cohort member Michael
Haack put it, “I want to be the person I needed when I was
in school.”
This rootedness is key to Teach Toledo’s place-based,
community-based approach. The theme of family-community
connection runs strong in cohort members’ motivations.
Marisela Haack said, “It is very important to me to be an
example for not only my children, but for other children and
young adults from my home town.”
Melaniece Barnes said, “I am excited about being a part of
the first cohort for Teach Toledo because I grew up in an
urban area and students can relate better to people who are
like them.”
Similarly, Robert Fletcher III explained, “I want to give
back to the students. I know what most of them are facing
day to day, and I could be not just a teacher but a
confidant and mentor.”
Research backs Barnes’ and Fletcher’s insights: current
work on improving urban education makes a strong case for
the need for an ethnically and racially diverse teaching
force who have lived experience in the neighborhoods in
which they will teach. Recruiting Toledo residents has led
to a very diverse cohort that mirrors the city’s richly
diverse population.
Having a diverse teaching population is crucial both for
children of color, concentrated in urban public schools, and
for all children.
The nation and the Greater Toledo area have suffered a
shortage of teachers of color that continues and worsens.
In the aftermath of Brown vs. Board of Education,
across the South teachers of color were fired rather than
hired to teach white children in integrated classrooms.
Diversity in the teaching force has continued to decrease
since that time, with little attention paid to this civil
rights crisis.
Some cohort members’ echoed this research in sharing their
experiences and motivation. Victoria Sanders commented, “I
grew up in Toledo and I attended TPS schools and would have
loved to see someone like me (black) in school teaching.”
Teach Toledo builds not
only on residency and diversity, but also on professional
experience. Many (but not all) in the cohort already spend
their days in TPS classrooms. Dawn Merritt noted, “I have
worked for Toledo Public Schools for 20+ years as a
paraprofessional and have wanted to further my education to
become a teacher. This cohort will help me do this.”
Paraprofessional Vera Hair felt similarly: “I’m getting to
realize my dream of being a teacher.”
The program is designed for adults of all ages and all
backgrounds. Many cohort members have had earlier college
experience—and as many are brand new to college. As cohort
member Amber Alleyne said, “I think this is a great program
for anyone looking to achieve their dreams, and I finally
get to achieve mine. It’s never too late or too hard to find
your path to success.”
The program has room for a few more students and will work
to get their admissions applications submitted and financial
aid arranged. Those with experience living and working in
urban Toledo are given preference; however, anyone can apply
and several current cohort members are not Toledo
residents. Come to Mott Branch Library on Tuesday, July 18
at 6:30 pm for more information, visit
(http://www.utoledo.edu/education/teachtoledo/about.html
,
or contact program coordinator Lynne Hamer, PhD, at
lynne.hamer@utoledo.edu or 419-283-8288.
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