Pathways to Teaching Project
Welcoming future U.S. teachers of refugee and immigrant backgrounds to re/join the teacher workforce.
The Pathways to Teaching Project (PTP) seeks to increase diversity in the U.S. teacher workforce and address teacher shortages by supporting multi-lingual and multi-talented adults with refugee and immigrant backgrounds in re/joining the teaching profession.
Through this project, Childhood Education International aims to co-create more welcoming and inclusive pathways to teaching. We leverage the talent and passion of future U.S. teachers who have refugee and immigrant backgrounds to further their professional knowledge, skills, networks, and navigational capital.
Do you want to learn more about how to support this project, or how to participate in a future cohort? Contact jkasper@ceinternational1892.org.
Project Goals
This project seeks to improve education systems by creating more inclusive pathways to education careers so that all prospective educators can pursue their career aspirations and all students experience equity, joy, and belonging in multilingual and multicultural education environments.
The inaugural Pathways to Teaching Project cohort formed in fall 2023 with a focus in the following regions/states: Arizona, District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington state. We aim to support additional cohorts in specific cities, states, and regions in the years ahead.
Project Structure
Project Fellows – applicants who are chosen to be a part of the project – become members of an online community of practice that provides opportunities for learning, resource sharing, dialogue, coaching, mentoring, and unique pathway creation tailored to the individual life circumstances and professional goals of each member of the community.
The project’s community of practice supports individual and collective growth, as well as exploration and advocacy, within a safe, belonging, and restorative professional workspace that promotes inclusion and belonging.
PTP Fellows:
- Explore teaching career pathways and certification/degree requirements in their targeted state or region within the U.S
- Learn (more) about U.S. school systems, education trends, and teaching methods
- Share their cross-cultural and transnational teaching and learning experiences with others
- Earn micro-credentials (digital badges or certificates showing their skills and competencies)
- Build networks of support to reach their goals
- Create their own personalized career plans
- Advocate for U.S. school systems to be more welcoming, inclusive, safe, culturally sustaining, joyful, and equitable for multilingual, multicultural, and multitalented teachers, students, and families
Impact
Project Fellows report that the project has helped them overcome obstacles, learn more about the U.S. education system, and connect with others who have similar goals.
“This project has taught us to bond together, walk towards our common goals, be tolerant, overcome obstacles on the path to our objectives, collaborate, and arrange teaching materials that we can utilize.” -Project participant
“I am most proud of the exposure to the important knowledge that the project has made available to me about the unique immigrant population in the U.S., including the new and best practice approaches to teaching in relation to how I learned when I was a student.” -Project Participant
“[One of the most important aspects has been] making friends, as I have lived a busy life in the U.S. so far. Now I feel I have a family who cares for me.” -Project Participant