Like Me
In the State of Ohio, educators of color make up just 5 percent of the population compared to a student body that has 33 percent diversity. To address the disparity, the Division of Education established the Like Me: Diversifying the Educator Workforce program.
As the program coordinator, Kimberly Scribner, ’12, has built a program that offers high school students of color the opportunity to pursue their dreams to become a teacher. Components of the program include:
· College Credit Plus and Dual Enrollment opportunities
· Lourdes University scholarships
· Loan forgiveness for Lourdes education majors who earn a bachelor’s degree
· Mentorships at partner schools
The University is collaborating with Springfield Local, Sylvania, Toledo Public and Washington Local Schools. In fall 2021, Kimberly and the Division of Education presented School Is In Session: Diversifying the Educator Workforce Panel featuring Randy Gardner, Chancellor, Ohio Department of Higher Education; John Jones, President, HOPE Toledo; and Lamis Younes, ’18, Elementary School Teacher for Sylvania City Schools.
“Our goal is to grow our partnerships with educational systems as well as with foundations and corporations. Working together, we can positively impact our region and ensure that these aspiring teachers are supported throughout their educational journey,” says Kimberly.