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 Margarita Bianco, associate professor of education and the program’s founder.

• • Margarita discusses the origins of Pathways2Teaching and gives an overview of the program.
  • Joselyne discusses her background, high school and how she learned about the program.
  • Joselyne was hired as a paraprofessional before even finishing high school.
  • Margarita discusses the external partners of the program and their role.
  • Joselyne talks about the support and teachers who helped her on her path.
  • Margarita and Joselyne discuss how the program benefits students and ultimately our state.
  • Joselyne is now working on her master’s degree and hopes to teach at the high school where it all began.
  • 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.

• Several institutions across the country have adopted the model of grow-your-own teachers.
• Pathways2Teaching has served about 1,700 students over the years.
• Students in the program continue to research and solve challenges within their communities as part of the program. Margarita offers some spectacular success stories.
• Margarita says, yes, progress is moving slowly, but at least there is movement. Graduates and students such as Joselyne make the struggle worthwhile.
• 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.
• Joselyne and Margarita close their eyes and look at education in K-12 schools, and share with us their vision.
• We at CU on the Air and our listeners will continue to support that vision.

Resources

• Pathways2Teaching Scholarship Fund
• Pathways2Teaching
• CU on the Air: Margarita Bianco
• NBC News: Schools need teachers of color
• 9News: Grow your own teachers program
• CU Denver