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) supports aspiring educators with refugee and (im)migrant backgrounds and addresses two pressing issues – teacher shortages and a need for a more diverse teacher workforce in the U.S. In 2023-24, the Center for Professional Learning facilitated a community of practice to support 50 refugee and (im)migrant adult fellows who dream of becoming educators in the U.S.
Project Goals
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 86% of public schools report challenges hiring teachers, especially in elementary and special education, and fewer than 1 in 10 teachers is Black, Hispanic, or Asian American. This projects seeks to leverage the talent and passion of aspiring U.S. teachers who have refugee and immigrant backgrounds to further their professional knowledge, skills, and networks and build welcoming pathways to the teaching profession while addressing the teacher shortage and diversifying the U.S. teacher workforce.
Project Structure
The inaugural Pathways to Teaching Project cohort formed in fall 2023. Project Fellows – applicants who were chosen to be a part of the project – became members of an online community of practice that provided 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 supported individual and collective growth, as well as exploration and advocacy, within a safe, belonging, and restorative professional workspace that promoted inclusion and belonging.
PTP Fellows:
- Explored teaching career pathways and certification/degree requirements in their targeted state or region within the U.S
- Learned (more) about U.S. school systems, education trends, and teaching methods
- Shared their cross-cultural and transnational teaching and learning experiences with others
- Earned micro-credentials (digital badges or certificates showing their skills and competencies)
- Built networks of support to reach their goals
- Created their own personalized career plans
- Advocated 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. By the end of the project:
85
%
Had a good understanding of U.S. schools, a 55% increase
79
%
Felt confident using the language of instruction, a 52% increase
82
%
Felt prepared to join the education profession in the U.S., a 49% increase
The project created a network of learning and support as the aspiring teachers built individualized pathway plans for achieving their education career goals. Project Fellows reported significant growth in their confidence, skills, and preparedness to join the U.S. education workforce.
Advancing Toward the Goal of Becoming a Teacher
Being part of the Pathways to Teaching Community helped me to reach my goal of becoming a teacher in the US… to understand the education system in the US, to identify my skills and assets. The members, both coaches and colleagues, were amazing and a very big source of strength.
PTP Fellow
Collaboration & Common 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.
PTP Fellow
Building Community
[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.
PTP Fellow
Listen to voices from the project fellows in this video from the project’s first cohort:
Get Involved
We welcome you to support and contribute to our work supporting refugees and (im)migrants on their path to becoming teachers in the U.S., alleviating the teacher shortage, and diversifying the teacher workforce.
Contact Julie Kasper, Director of Teacher Learning & Leadership, at jkasper@ceinternational1892.org, to find out more or to express interest in participating in a future cohort.
We also welcome you to give to support our work and enable future cohorts of this powerful project.
Learn More
Pathways to Teaching Project: Community Conversation & Project-Sharing Event
In October 2024, we hosted an online event where we shared outcomes, learnings, and next steps associated with the 2023-2024 project.
Pathways to Teaching: Project Goals
In this video, Director of Teacher Learning & Leadership Julie Kasper explains the short-term and long-term goals of the Pathways to Teaching Project, including our approach and project structure.
