Summary: The percentage of K-12 students of color has raised dramatically in Colorado in the past few years, making up near 50% of our school population. Unfortunately, the teacher population has not kept up. For nearly 11 years, the University of Colorado Denver’s Pathways2Teaching program has aimed to balance that teacher-to-student ratio. Today, on CU on the Air, we’re talking with Joselyne Garcia-Moreno, a graduate of the Pathways2Teaching program, and <a href="https://education.ucdenver.edu/about-us/faculty-directory/Bianco-Margarita-UCD12159">Margarita Bianco</a>, associate professor of education and the program’s founder.<br> <br> <br> <br> * Margarita discusses the origins of Pathways2Teaching and gives an overview of the program.<br> * Joselyne discusses her background, high school and how she learned about the program.<br> * Joselyne was hired as a paraprofessional before even finishing high school.<br> * Margarita discusses the external partners of the program and their role.<br> * Joselyne talks about the support and teachers who helped her on her path.<br> * Margarita and Joselyne discuss how the program benefits students and ultimately our state.<br> * Joselyne is now working on her master’s degree and hopes to teach at the high school where it all began.<br> * Margarita, who was interviewed on the second episode of CU on the Air in 2017, discusses how the program has grown in the past nearly five years.<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> * Several institutions across the country have adopted the model of grow-your-own teachers.<br> * Pathways2Teaching has served about 1,700 students over the years.<br> * Students in the program continue to research and solve challenges within their communities as part of the program. Margarita offers some spectacular success stories.<br> * Margarita says, yes, progress is moving slowly, but at least there is movement. Graduates and students such as Joselyne make the struggle worthwhile.<br> * As a graduate of the program, Joselyne discusses steps that can be taken or further support and encourage students to become involved and be successful.<br> * Joselyne and Margarita close their eyes and look at education in K-12 schools, and share with us their vision.<br> * We at CU on the Air and our listeners will continue to support that vision.<br> <br> Resources<br> <br> * <a href="https://giving.cu.edu/fund/pathways2teaching-scholarship-fund">Pathways2Teaching Scholarship Fund</a><br> * <a href="https://education.ucdenver.edu/partnerships/our-impact/pathways-2-teaching-">Pathways2Teaching</a><br> * <a href="http://cuontheair.blubrry.net/2017/07/24/margarita-bianco-associate-professor-of-education-cu-denver/">CU on the Air: Margarita Bianco</a><br> * <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/education/schools-need-teachers-color-retain-educators-say-rcna7732?fbclid=IwAR2_V6uOJCot2wkofQPDkGtCzAq5iLVYUyuYuMMBJ-q3dahuUUGVO_kC8Jg">NBC News: Schools need teachers of color</a><br> * <a href="https://www.9news.com/article/news/education/grow-your-own-program-teachers-diversity/73-018d5fdd-d503-4b49-82c6-1f0c39099453?fbclid=IwAR1pKGLsIiL5JHDKg1Stm4y4nDO_YPvfKYmqfc9M1qVwtO-fDuOIpDu0nQo">9News: Grow your own teachers program</a><br> * <a href="https://ucdenver.edu/">CU Denver</a><br> <br> <br>
