Program Overview

Project EDUCATE

Project EDUCATE is a four-pillar program aimed at increasing the recruitment and retainment of underrepresented minorities into the teaching profession. This program is a partnership between Washington Local Schools (WLS) and the Northwest Ohio Center for Excellence in STEM Education (NWO), housed in the BGSU College of Education and Human Development (EDHD).

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 a 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 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 are 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.