“While the UMKC School of Education has been successfully training students for teaching and leadership positions in urban schools for years, their current priority is exponentially expanding the number of graduates who are prepared to meet the unique challenges of teaching in the urban core, challenges that have made life more difficult for students, parents and teachers due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement. Community leaders Leo Morton and Jerry Reece are leading the campaign to expand the program’s capabilities and ultimately long-term student success.”
Morton emphasizes the importance of positive role models who demonstrate that anyone can grow up to become successful. Graduate of the program Asha Moore describes how it prepared her for the unique challenges of urban teaching. And director of the Institute for Urban Education Jennifer Waddell outlines the need for specific instruction on issues relating to people of color and the many difficulties created by Covid-19. “…the Institute for Urban Education focuses on teachers’ impact on how students see the world.”
Read the full article here, and help celebrate the ongoing achievements of UMKC’s School of Education!
