Simmons College Partners With Local Schools to Produce More Black Teachers

Historically Black Simmons College in Louisville, Kentucky has partnered with Jefferson County Public Schools in an effort to produce more Black teachers and to keep them in the county.

The district has struggled over the years to hire and retain Black teachers. Currently, 35 percent of the county’s student population is African-American, compared to only 12 percent of the teachers. The district aims to reach a goal of a teaching workforce that is at least 18 percent Black by 2020 as part of its Racial Equity Plan.

The first phase of the new program will allow Simmons graduates to get into the county’s public school classrooms quickly through a 12-week summer boot camp that has been approved by the state. The goal is to have the first round of certified graduates helping in the county’s public school classrooms by the 2019 fall semester.

“We believe we can be a catalyst in this area as it relates to our local school system and also across the state,” said Dr. Frank Smith, Jr., executive vice president of Simmons College of Kentucky.

According to Dr. Smith, many Simmons students have expressed an interest in becoming teachers. Once the School of Education st Simmons College is up and running, these students will have direct access to the county’s public schools for their required observation hours and student teaching.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Get the JBHE Weekly Bulletin

Receive our weekly email newsletter delivered to your inbox

Latest News

In Memoriam: Shani Mott, 1976-2024

Dr. Mott was a lecturer in the department of history and Center for Africana Studies at Johns Hopkins University where she worked for the past sixteen years. Her academic studies focused on racial language in American popular culture.

California State University Sacramento Launches Black Honors College

Officially launching for the fall 2024 semester, the Black Honors College will support students from all backgrounds who study Black history, life, and culture by providing them with a specialized curriculum and mentoring opportunities.

Higher Education Gifts or Grants of Interest to African Americans

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

In Memoriam: Norman B. Anderson, 1955-2024

Dr. Anderson was the assistant vice president for research and academic affairs at Florida State University at the time of his death. He had an extensive career in clinical psychology, which led him to become the first African American chief executive officer of the American Psychological Association.

Featured Jobs