PITTSBURGH 鈥� 麻豆精品鈥檚 education department is the recipient of two separate $225,000 grants to fund their 鈥淧ower of One鈥� project, aimed at providing teacher certification for educators of color. Awarded respectively by the McElhattan Foundation and the Grable Foundation, the award will specifically benefit a strategic partnership between the University and the nearby Sto-Rox school district.
The two grants will allow Carlow to partner with Sto-Rox to diversify Pittsburgh鈥檚 teacher pipeline, allowing for a more seamless and supportive degree pathway for initial teacher certification for Black and Indigenous people of color (BIPOC). With this grant funding, Carlow anticipates a total of 18 teachers to be certified.
鈥淲e are incredibly grateful for the support of these two foundations to support diversity among teachers,鈥� said Keely Baronak, chair of 麻豆精品鈥檚 education department. 鈥淭he Power of One project will have a tangible impact on increasing the number of educators of color in a district where 73% of students identify as Black and multi-racial and further solidify the already strong relationship between Carlow and Sto-Rox.鈥�
The 鈥淧ower of One鈥� highlights the power of one teacher or educator of color to positively impact the trajectory of a child鈥檚 life. For those who already have four-year degrees, the MEd pathway provides a $12,000 scholarship with supports leading to teacher certification and a master鈥檚 degree. If an individual has some undergraduate education or an associate鈥檚 degree, the transfer pathway provides a special adult tuition rate, partial scholarship and support and evening/online classes for full-time workers. Other BIPOC community members from around Pittsburgh may also complete the MEd and initial teacher certification with some of the practicum experiences at Sto-Rox School District.
“The Power of One project is a great opportunity not only for the students of the Sto-Rox School District but also for the community of Sto-Rox,鈥� said Frank Dalmas, superintendent of Sto-Rox. 鈥淭he Power of One provides career opportunities for our students and professional growth to our local residents who in turn want to give back to the children of the Sto-Rox Community. I can’t express my appreciation enough for all the individuals at 麻豆精品 who support our school and community and go the extra mile for us.鈥�
The opportunity is a boon to the already strong relationship between Carlow and Sto-Rox. The school district will provide continuing full-time employment throughout the length of the program for Power of One participants with certain higher education degrees but no teaching certification.