The University of La Verne is one of six minority serving institutions (MSIs) across the United States selected to participate in Branch Alliance for Educator Diversity\u2019s (BranchED) National Teacher Preparation Transformation Center. This partnership aims to produce highly effective and diverse teachers through immersion programming. The university\u2019s pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade school district partner, Pomona Unified School District, will also participate in the Transformation Center.<\/p>\n
Institutions comprising BranchED\u2019s National Teacher Preparation Transformation Center\u2019s second cohort include Alabama A&M University, Mount St. Mary\u2019s University, Texas A&M International University, Virginia State University, and West Texas A&M. The organization launched its first cohort for its National Teacher Preparation Transformation Center in 2018.<\/p>\n
Through participation in the Transformation Center\u2014a three-year program\u2014the University of La Verne will join a unique community of practice where faculty and Pomona Unified School District partners will access enhanced resources and professional development, network with others, share data, and learn from each other to move forward with sustainability and innovation. The larger goals of BranchED\u2019s Transformation Center include both diversifying the teaching profession and intentionally addressing critical issues of educational equity for all students.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo other entity in the country takes the approach to diversifying the nation\u2019s educator workforce the way BranchED does,\u201d BranchED\u2019s President and CEO Cassandra Herring, PhD, said. \u201cOur approach is \u2018grassroots\u2019 in that we work directly with the MSI educator preparation providers to draft and implement an individualized plan for systemic and sustainable improvement with the goal of ensuring their program graduates are competent and confident in their ability to teach all students \u2013 particularly students of color and those from low-socioeconomic backgrounds.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOur institution is uniquely positioned to take full advantage of this new partnership with Branch Alliance for Educator Diversity and our community partner, Pomona Unified School District,\u201d said Kimberly White-Smith, dean of the LaFetra College of Education. \u201cWe hope to be an example of how removing barriers and obstacles that disproportionately impact our educators of color will provide a pipeline of excellence from and back into our communities that we serve.\u201d<\/p>\n
White-Smith, alongside fellow administrators and colleagues, look to utilize the partnership to support the university\u2019s initiatives as a leading Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as well as recruit, retain, and graduate teachers of color to serve local communities.<\/p>\n
Betina Hsieh, professor and director of teacher education at the University of La Verne stated, \u201cThere is still a large demographic diversity gap between the teachers that serve K-12 students and the students themselves. Research has shown that students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds view teachers of color favorably, and students of color perform better when they have teachers of color. We are excited to break down some of those barriers in teacher education by providing multiple pathways to subject-matter competencies, creating opportunities for mentorships with successful teachers of color, finding sustainable funding sources to support our student success, and supporting our faculty to model and engage in culturally affirming, responsive and sustaining practices in teacher education.\u201d<\/p>\n
The college looks to utilize the grant to support STEM education efforts, define diverse subject matter competency models, provide mentorship programs with teachers of color, solidify sustainable funding sources for student and faulty success, and more.<\/p>\n
Major support for this cohort in BranchED\u2019s National Teacher Preparation Transformation Center comes from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Walton Family Foundation at the recommendation of Alice L. Walton.\u00a0 Program support also comes from the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation; the Bezalel Fund, a donor advised fund established by Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies; and others.<\/p>\n