This article is one of a series of articles produced by Word in Black through support provided by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Word In Black is a collaborative of 10 Black-owned media outlets across the country.
By RayJaun Stelly, The Seattle Medium
Last weekend, The Alliance for Education, an independent, local education fund that has works in partnership with Seattle Public Schools, hosted a reunion, anniversary, and celebration event recognizing the Seattle Teacher Residency program’s 10-year journey in recruiting, diversifying, preparing and retaining diverse and culturally-responsive educators who impact the lives of Seattle Public Schools students that are furthest from educational justice.
The night was filled with over 100 program alumni, educator mentors, school administrators and community partners to commemorate the program’s transformational achievements in the past decade.
“We are tremendously proud of what the Seattle Teacher Residency Program has accomplished in its ten years in existence,” said Dr. Marisa Bier, Director of the Seattle Teacher Residency. “This event is a testament to the dedication, perseverance, and commitment of our educators, who have made a significant impact on the lives of countless students in Seattle.”
“The evening was a joyous occasion to celebrate their achievements and reaffirm our collective commitment to advancing racial equity and educational justice for students in our city,” added Bier.
Formed back in 2012, the Seattle Teach Residency was developed in partnership with the University of Washington College of Education, Seattle Education Association, and Seattle Public Schools to recruit, diversify, prepare, and retain an excellent pipeline of teachers for students furthest from educational justice in SPS Title I elementary schools.
The program helps prepare educators to teach in culturally and linguistically diverse communities and supports them in securing teaching positions in SPS Title I schools. In addition, STR participants earn a Master degree in Teaching (MIT) from the University of Washington and upon graduation, commit to teaching in a Seattle elementary or special education setting for five years.
“The event not only highlighted countless inspiring stories and testimonials from STR alumni, but was an opportunity for the community of educators to celebrate the decade milestone by coming together to support cohorts of future educators in the program,” said Roxanne Christian, Vice President of Advancement at the Alliance for Education. “We are incredibly grateful to our donors and supporters who have made this continued work at the Alliance for Education possible.”
In over a decade the program has successfully attracted and graduated close to 250 educators who’ve dedicated themselves to staying in the teaching profession. Over 50% of the teachers identify as BIPOC and many teach in schools that are furthest from educational justice in West Seattle and Southeast Seattle.
“The Seattle Teacher Residency is a collaborative and innovative strategy that has been catalytic in creating an effective, impactful educator workforce that reflects the diversity of our Seattle students,” said Lisa Chick, President at the Alliance for Education. “At the Alliance, we have been honored to play a part in generating and supporting an incredible new community of educators in our Seattle schools, and look forward to ongoing opportunities to support collaboration and innovation within our district.”
