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Breaking New Grounds in Recruiting, Retaining and Preparing Diverse Urban Teachers: An Urban-Focused Teacher Education Program. Dr. Omiunota N. Ukpokodu Professor Division of Curriculum & Instructional Leadership School of Education University of Missouri-Kansas City
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Breaking New Grounds in Recruiting, Retaining and Preparing Diverse Urban Teachers: An Urban-Focused Teacher Education Program Dr. Omiunota N. Ukpokodu Professor Division of Curriculum & Instructional Leadership School of Education University of Missouri-Kansas City Kansas City, Missouri ukpokodun@umkc.edu June 28 & 29, 2012
Historical Perspective: A 4-Year Teacher Education Program — The First Undergraduate Program of its Kind in the United States About The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) • Is a comprehensive research university, located in large urban community in Kansas City • Is one of four University of Missouri campuses • Is a public university serving more than 14,000 undergraduate, graduates, and professional students • UMKC-Community Relationship (Adversarial, Non-Responsiveness—”UMKC Kills Homes” (1998))
Historical Perspective • Community criticism of UMKC’s Failing to Respond to its Needs • Major Criticism • Failure of UMKC School of Education to respond to the Urban School District’s Failing Schools and Student Dismal Academic Achievement • UMKC’s Response to Serve the Urban Community • 1999: UMKC Urban Mission Taskforce Established (Interim Chancellor) • Citywide Consortium Convened by KC Mayor • 2000: New Chancellor-- Bold Mission & Blue Print • Core Values— Diversity, Inclusiveness and Respect, and Energized Collaborative Communities • 2002: School of Education Dean Conducted Forums with Kansas City’s Education Community, SOE Faculty & Focus Groups with African American and Latino American Communities • Joined UMKC SOE Faculty & Initial Conversations—Two-Track Teacher Education Program • Outcome: Conception of Interdisciplinary Institute--IUE • 2003: Chancellor’s Contact Kauffman Foundation to Support the Institute for Urban Education (Governing & Advisory Committees Organized) IUE Reports to UMKC Provost
Implementation: UMKC Institute for Urban Education (IUE) • Selection of the Executive Director of IUE • National Advisors • Theme Development: Preparing Exemplary Teachers for Urban Education • Vision: UMKC Will Be Nationally Recognized for Preparing Exemplary Educators Who Are Successful Change Agents in Urban Settings • Mission: To Partner with Our Community to Prepare Exemplar Educators for Urban Settings • Exemplary Educators: Change Agents Who Demonstrate: Cultural, Pedagogical, Subject Matter Competence
National Advisors of the IUE • Kati Haycock—Director of Education Trust • Megan Frankie—Professor of Urban Schooling (UCLA) • Jim Connell—President & Co-Founder (Institute for Research & reform in Education (IRRE) • Tyrone Howard—Professor of Urban Schooling (UCLA) • Barnett Berry—Founder & President of Southeast Center for Teaching Quality (North Carolina) • Garrett Duncan—Professor of Education & African & Afro-American Studies at Washington University in St Louis • Paul Ruiz—Partner with Education Trust • John Vilamil-Cassanova—Executive Vice President and CIP of ASPIRE, a Texas-based Math and Science Initiative Focused on Latino Students
UMKC Institute for Urban Education (IUE) • Call for Participation—Faculty Selection • Chair & Faculty in Curriculum & Instructional Leadership • Faculty in Arts and Sciences—Math, Science • Design & Writing Teams (UMKC SOE & A & S)—Summer Project ($3000 Stipend ) • First Cohort 2005 with Graduation in 2009 • Total of 4 Cohorts and 52 Graduates
Implementation: Emphasis • Literacy, Math & Science • Recruitment : Focus on Underrepresented Populations—recruitment & Admission of Diverse & Qualified Applicants • Culturally Responsive Teachers & Change Agents • Multicultural Education • Culturally Responsive Pedagogy • Social Justice Pedagogy
Then & Now: Evolving Urban-Focused Teacher Education IUE & Regular Teacher Education Program • School Mission Revised • The SOE’s mission is to recruit, retain, prepare and support outstanding teachers, mental health professionals, and administrators who will create lifelong opportunities through education for America’s diverse urban communities (UMKC SOE, 2010) • UMKC SOE Partnership: From 3 Partner Schools to Nine & All School Districts