Early college program focused on increasing teachers of color in Pittsburgh launches
Chatham University and the Neighborhood Learning Alliance (NLA) have partnered to offer the Future Teachers Program, a collaborative program that encourages and supports Black high school students and students of color who are interested in becoming elementary or high school teachers.
The program begins when a student is in the 10th grade and follows them through to college graduation by providing strong academic preparation, professional exposure, and the personal and financial support necessary to transition from high school to college, and from college into careers as teachers. High school students need at least a 3.0 GPA to apply, and those who successfully complete the program will enter Chatham’s undergraduate teaching program having already earned up to 18 credits toward their undergraduate degree—saving time and money.
Heather Cunningham, Assistant Professor of Education, says, “Chatham, through the Future Teachers Program, will provide early access and support to Black high school students and students of color who want to become teachers. This is an important step in addressing educational equity here in Pittsburgh and nationally, as having teachers of color leads to increased academic success for K-12 students of color. We are thrilled to partner with NLA for this vital program.”
Applications are open, and the first class of students will start classes during the summer of 2022. For more information, visit the Chatham Education website at: https://www.chatham.edu/academics/undergraduate/education/chatham-future-teachers.html.
About the Neighborhood Learning Alliance
Neighborhood Learning Alliance is a nonprofit organization that strives to improve education of and opportunities for lower-income families within Allegheny County through strategic partnerships with the community and faith-based organizations. NLA offers programs for students from kindergarten throughout high school that focus on supplementary learning as well as higher education. More information at https://neighborhoodlearning.org.