UMES partners with High School Teacher University summer program
High School Teacher University
MARYLAND – Professors at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore are dedicated to the advancement of education and fostering diversity within the classrooms.
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore has partnered with several school districts to provide a High School Teacher University. On August 2nd, they held their culmination luncheon to honor those students’ accomplishments they’ve made over the summer.
“You can’t be what you can’t see” according to Dr. Richard Warren who works with UMES’ High School Teacher University. He says that without inclusion, the future of education is in trouble and that’s what makes their program special. “Individuals at a young age especially young individuals of color, they may not see themselves as making a difference in education, they might not even see themselves as being a teacher, and I kind of want to change that narrative… The unique part about it is, they’re surrounded by teachers of color. And so, this program is uniquely designed to increase teacher diversity and educators of color in our workforce.”
Alongside diversity, students gain college credits, and a pre-collegiate experience staying on campus and attending classes. Dr. Warren says 2nd year participant Christian Thomas- McNamara, was hesitant at first, but now is a recruiter of sorts. “I saw Christian come alive in ways I never seen him come alive again. He started actively participating, he started engaging in campus life…Christian has been a true representative of what it means when you pour into students, and they pour into other students for you.”
Christian is 16 and says education is his calling. The program has taught him to respect the plight of teachers, and the tools he’s learned have helped him grow as a person. “I was on the verge of not coming actually, but he told a story, and it really empowered me. It made me see things differently about education and teachers and how we view them and how they view us.”
Dr. Warren brags on a new student April Dashiell who came in and worked tirelessly behind the scenes. “April is the Rookie of the Year, meaning that she has engaged in the course work, she has participated amongst social activity, and she has demonstrated excellence.”
April, who is also at the pivotal age of 16, says having a teacher who understands your struggles, can make all the difference in the classroom. “I’ve just found education such a broad topic but it’s something that everybody needs, and everybody goes through… Diversity is very important in the education system because not everybody grew up the same as you did, so having all of these different experiences, and different people, in your circles, it helps you gain a better understanding of the world.”
Dr. Warren says they encourage students going into their sophomore year to get involved, so they can experience the program in its entirety. He says he wants his students to truly understand that the future of education is in their hands. “The most powerful thing you can do, is teach a child well.”
