UC BIPOC Teacher Pathway
The BIPOC Teacher Pathway supports Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to become middle school teachers. The pathway is a grow-your-own partnership between the University of Cincinnati School of Education and an increasing number of Ohio school districts.
Research overwhelmingly shows that all students benefit from a diverse teaching force. However, while the percentage of BIPOC PK-12 students in Ohio is 31% and growing, only 7% of Ohio teachers identify as BIPOC. At the university-level, there is a similar need for BIPOC faculty. To address this challenge, pathway partners are committed to developing a culturally competent and anti-racist teaching workforce that reflects the cultural, ethnic, and racial identities of the students served.
Information for School Districts
The BIPOC Teacher Pathway is a community of practice in which district administrators, advisors, and classroom teachers, collaborate with UC faculty and staff (1) develop BIPOC interest in education careers, (2) improve the climate for BIPOC students and teachers in both K-12 and university settings, (3) increase the number of BIPOC teachers UC trains, and (4) recruit and retain those teachers in partner districts.
Recruitment – UC Education faculty and staff collaborate with faculty in the partner districts to identify, develop, and recruit high school students to enroll in the UC Middle Childhood Program. This includes:
- Targeted recruitment sessions and mentorship for BIPOC students
- Teacher academies that provide secondary students authentic experiences as tutors and provide understanding of the nature and benefits of education careers
- Early credit Introduction to Education coursework
Cultural Competence – Faculty and staff in both UC teacher licensure programs and partner districts engage in ongoing collaborative professional development around anti-bias reflection and cultural competence with the parallel goals of improving school environments for both BIPOC teachers and students across the pathway.
Sustainability & Scalability – In the BIPOC Teacher Pathway, UC and district partners collaborate to design and implement pathway components that are sustainable. Lessons learned from these collaborations will be applied to work with additional districts.
Information for BIPOC Students
The BIPOC Teacher Pathway provides resources and supports for BIPOC students working toward degrees in Middle Childhood Education. The program provides high school students with early tutoring experiences, paid summer employment in educational settings, opportunities for early education coursework, and assistance with the application process.
Students accepted into the program become a part of a BIPOC Teacher Cohort that offers a unique combination of educational, social, emotional, and financial supports to achieve a degree and become licensed to teach in Ohio.
Middle Childhood Education Program –The Middle Childhood Education program at UC is a dual licensure program that prepares student to become licensed Ohio teachers grades 4-9 in two subjects, with the option to become licensed to teach mild to moderate Special Education. Features:
- ACT, SAT, and Praxis exams are NOT required to join the program
- Academic mentoring and support are available across the 4 years of the program
- Program courses promote academic achievement, cultural competency, and inclusive education in the teaching of language arts, mathematics, natural science, or social studies (choose two)
- Program courses model and prepare teachers for culturally responsive teaching
- Field experiences allow students to learn and practice teaching in multiple settings
Opportunities for High School Students
- Participate in Future Educator clubs in partner districts
- Earn early credit for EDST 1001 Introduction to Education with a focus on educational justice
- Gain experience and earn money as a teacher fellow with Breakthrough Cincinnati
Supports for BIPOC Teacher Undergraduates
- Summer Bridge Program before year 1
- Education-related Student Job opportunities
- First-year UC orientation course
- Dedicated peer and faculty mentorship across the 4 years
- Workshops and experiences to support academic, social, physical, and mental health
- Dedicated Scholarships
Current Partnerships
