In January of this year we published our first School of Education e-newsletter. We received appreciative responses expressing a desire to stay connected and to know more about what is happening in the SOE. Now I am gratified to introduce our second SOE newsletter for the 2013–14 academic year — because it represents hope, even in the midst of challenges. In this publication, which we’ve called “On Point,” we share with you hope-filled news about our programs, faculty, students, initiatives … and graduates.
We are encouraged this year by the program completion of 131 new teachers, 10 school counselors, and 32 principals and other educational professionals. The new crop of teachers includes those prepared in high-need areas, including 21 special education teachers and 30 math and science teachers.
With each new announcement of a teaching job accepted or appointment as a new principal comes the positive reward for the effort and work in completing a rigorous preparation program, and the excitement of moving to a role that will allow our graduates to impact the lives of children and youth, their families, and their communities. During the years I have been involved in the preparation of educators, I have always loved hearing, with some envy, those new ventures that our graduates will soon take as they accept teaching, school counseling, and educational leadership positions.
We are also proud that each SOE program includes graduates from diverse backgrounds. At a time when schools have become increasingly diverse, there is clear need for teachers, school counselors, and administrators who reflect diversity. Research consistently underscores the positive impact on children and youth when they experience educators who look like them. The School of Education is committed to increasing the number of students from diverse backgrounds in our programs and, in light of that, is initiating a campaign to raise funds for diversity scholarships in an effort to increase the number of diverse program graduates.
You are invited to join us in this important work by making a gift to support scholarships that benefit students of color who wish to become teachers, school counselors, or school administrators. Please indicate Diversity Educators Scholarship when making your gift. Your generosity will enable the next generation of SPU graduates to become outstanding educators in the greater Seattle area and around the globe.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We do have reason to hope for the future.
Rick Eigenbrood, Dean
School of Education