Dean Grenot-Scheyer & Students Attend National Summit on Teacher Diversity
Dean Marquita Grenot-Scheyer, Ms. Andrea Alonzo, and Mr. Brandon Kent attended the National Summit on Teacher Diversity, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, in Washington D.C. on May 6, 2016. Dean Grenot-Scheyer was invited to present on Recruiting & Supporting Diverse Students for Careers in Education: Opportunities & Challenges. She invited Andrea (Cerritos Community College Teacher TRAC graduate currently completing her Multiple Subject Credential) and Brandon (UTEACH candidate who will graduate this spring) to accompany her. The goal of the summit was to bring together participants who would examine the need for a more diverse teaching force, learn from each other’s best practices, and develop commitments to recruiting, supporting, and retaining teachers of color.
and Andrea Alonzo Gather for the Summit.
Secretary of Education John B. King and Mr. Roberto J. Rodriquez, Deputy Assistant to the President for Education, welcomed participants. Although the current administration has a very short window of time to (continue) their efforts to diversify the teaching force, they both expressed optimism for the future. Secretary King reminded us that we need more teachers of color who can inspire the next generation of students and highlighted the benefits (culturally responsive pedagogy, competent role models) for both students of colors and white students.
Dean Grenot-Scheyer was so pleased to share this important experience with her students. She remarked: “Through my time with Andrea and Brandon, I have come to know them a little better and I truly appreciate their thoughtfulness and dedication to complete their teaching credentials. They are outstanding student ambassadors for the college and I was so proud of both of them, as I watched them interact with professionals and students from around the country with such poise and confidence.”
The students expressed their excitement and appreciation in this way:
Brandon: “The National Summit on Teacher Diversity was a thought provoking experience that had me engaged in discussion with other like-minded educators and experts in the field of education. It was humbling to be amongst a crowd of scholars focused on enacting a positive change in education.”
Andrea: "The word I would use to describe my Washington DC trip is 'appreciative.' I am grateful that I was able to attend such a wonderful summit with Dean Marquita and Brandon Kent. We were able to delve into the conversation of diversity, and the lack (thereof) in the teaching force. Not only am I appreciative of this experience, I am also appreciative of the unique teacher preparation programs offered at CSULB. These preparation programs provide so many opportunities to work in education on various levels in and outside of the classroom and become cultural responsive."
Department of Education report on the state of diversity in the teaching workforce.
(UTEACH student Brandon Kent was sponsored by the SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union. We thank them for their on-going generosity in support of our students.)
