August 5, 2020
Mesa College's Teacher Education Pathways Project Wins 2019-2020 Innovation of the
Year Award
By Jennifer Nichols Kearns & Lauren Dorst // Office of Communications
On July 23, 2020, San Diego Mesa College’s Teacher Education Pathways Program was honored with a League for Innovation’s 2019-2020 Innovation of the Year Award.
The Mesa Teacher Education Program (Program) and the recognition via this award, positions
Mesa as one of the premiere colleges for aspiring teachers, and prepares the next
generation of educators to bring necessary racial and gender diversity to the current
teacher work force. The Program was awarded, in part, not only because of the focus
on diversity, but because it also offers free tutoring, smaller classes, stipends
and a direct path to earning a Bachelor’s degree - all to help ensure student success.
With a shortage of bilingual Spanish/English, male and STEM teachers in California
elementary and middle schools and across the nation, Mesa launched the Program, creating
a pathway for aspiring teachers from diverse backgrounds, including Latinx/Chicanx/Hispanic,
to gain employment in K-12 schools in San Diego. The goal is to close diversity and
gender gaps for many students who lack the benefits of having a culturally responsive
education taught by teachers who are representative of the students.
“We want to bring teachers to the classroom who come from the community and who mirror
the community,” said Mesa College Vice President of Instruction, Dr. Isabel O’Connor.
The Program is currently accepting students for Fall 2020, and the comprehensive
two-year curriculum provides opportunities for student success and educational equity
by offering two pathways: (1) the DEBER Scholars Program and (2) the STEM Teacher Education Program.
Through the DEBER Scholars Program, bilingual Spanish/English Latinx students are
prepared to teach in school districts throughout San Diego County. In Spanish, deber is a “duty”; it means a responsibility and desire to serve one’s community. These
scholars are encouraged to transfer into San Diego State University’s bilingual credential
program, through a partnership with SDSU and their Teacher Education School.
The STEM Teacher Education Program provides a pathway for Mesa students to become
STEM middle school and high school teachers, and likewise, scaffolds their success
by offering support and transfer partnerships to four-year institutions, including
San Diego State University and National University, to complete low- to no-cost degrees.
One of the goals of the Program is for young students to see their own identities
and cultures reflected in their classroom instructors. Returning to teach in their
local communities, the linguistically and culturally diverse graduates of the Program
will set the tone for new students’ success – helping to build efficacy in their identities
and capabilities, and inspiring motivation for life-long learning in a new generation.
Students can enroll in the Mesa Teacher Education Program as early as high school,
with the opportunity to participate in dual enrollment at Mesa, or take classes during
their first year in college. To learn more about Mesa’s Teacher Education programs
and application criteria, please visit the department website.
Established over 35 years ago, the League’s Innovation of the Year Award was devised as a way to recognize significant innovations at community colleges that
reflect significant achievements. The award honors faculty, staff, and administrators
who have created and implemented innovative programs, practices, partnerships, policies,
and activities that improve the institution’s ability to serve students and the community.
About Mesa College
San Diego Mesa College is a fully accredited, comprehensive two-year college serving over 30,000 students
per year. Among the largest community colleges in California, Mesa offers 196 associate
degree and certificate programs and is among 15 California community colleges offering
a four-year bachelor’s degree. Mesa ranks as San Diego’s top transfer institution
with offerings that include fine art and music, language and humanities, math and
science, as well as career education degrees in allied health fields, Geographic Information
Systems (GIS), business, multimedia, hospitality, culinary arts, fashion, architecture,
and interior design. Mesa College’s small classes, award-winning faculty, and reputation
for quality offer an unparalleled academic experience. As a Hispanic Serving Institution,
Mesa College strives to be the Leading College of Equity and Excellence and is committed
to the success of all students, including underrepresented students, and more than
4,000 veterans and their families.
Find San Diego Mesa College on Social Media:
Facebook.com: sandiegomesacollege
Twitter.com: sdmesacollege
Instagram.com: sdmesacollege
Youtube: youtube.com: sdmesacollege
Snapchat: sdmesacollege
LinkedIn: San Diego Mesa College
Prez Pam Luster: twitter.com: sdmesaprez
And download the iMesa app for free!
Tags: equity, Teacher Education, Teacher Education Pathways Program, STEM Teacher Education Program, Hispanic Serving Institutions, DEBER Program, STEM, League for Innovation, 2019-2020 Innovation of the Year Award
