Project EDUCATE

Pillar One: 6th – 8th grade: Project EDUCATE Club

• Students begin to explore and discuss the question “What does a career in Education look like?”
• Students are exposed to positive and diverse role models and mentors in education 
• Social emotional learning principles, life skills and habits of mind strategies (perseverance, grit, growth mindset, etc.) are modeled in the classroom, setting students up for successful transition to high school 
• Creative, empathetic, student-centered pedagogy is implemented to help young learners visualize themselves as leaders of learning
• A comprehensive wraparound services approach is provided for students

Pillar Two: 9th – 12th grade: Teaching Professions Program

• Activities and discussions will revolve around the question “How do I become a life-changing teacher of color?”
• Students explore teaching related careers through a social justice and equity lens 
• Students earn credits that can transfer to higher education teacher education programs/certificates
• Students participate in regular field experiences in local classrooms 
• Mentoring relationships continue with students 
• College academic/career readiness skills are integrated throughout courses 
• Students regularly interact with and begin to co-teach with pre-service students
• Teacher Preparation Teams begin advising students on life design and their education path

Pillar Three: Higher Education: Preparing Diverse and Elite Future Educators

• Students are recruited and retained to continue to higher education with a major in education 
• College scholarships are provided along with continued mentoring from current students and faculty members 
• Creation and expansion of high-quality alternative certification programs 
• Deliberate and positive support structures for students implemented to increase retention 
• Cultivating a sense of belonging through informal and formal student networks of support systems 
• Students work as paraprofessionals in their school district to stay engaged and motivated while completing their degree

Pillar Four: Professional Career Path

• Students graduate and earn teacher licensure and are offered preferential hiring in their home district 
• Students teach for a minimum of 3-5 years as part of a “pay back” to the program 
• Students who have graduated through the program mentor future participants 
• Graduates continue to participate in leadership/mentorship professional development during employment 
• Professional Learning Communities are established for sustained support for graduates
• Graduates are encouraged to pursue graduate degrees in Education and Educational Leadership 

Mentoring Program