We speak with Dr. Kathryn Spence, Director of the School of Education at Fairleigh Dickinson University, about actualizing a focus on social justice and equity. She discusses strategies for broadening the pipeline of teachers, especially teachers of color, including career ladders and “Grow Your Own” programs. Dr. Spence describes how FDU makes teacher ed financially feasible for students as well as what makes teachers stay in or leave schools.
Overview
00:00-00:40 Intros
00:40-04:08 How Dr. Spence’s experience shapes her approach to teacher ed
04:08-06:25 How research has shaped her leadership
06:25-07:36 Why teachers stay or leave schools or the field
07:36-09:25 Recruiting pre-service teachers, especially teachers of color
09:25-10:44 Career ladders in NJ
10:44-12:35 Making teacher ed financially feasible for students
12:35-14:20 Providing moral support to teacher ed students
14:20-15:28 Impact on schools of residential segregation in NJ
15:28-18:40 Serving Latine students
18:40-20:48 Pushback to the focus on social justice?
20:48-22:20 Change process at FDU’s program
22:20-25:03 Looking forward to having bilingual courses
25:03- Outro
Transcript
Click here to see the full transcription of this episode.
References
FDU’s Peter Sammartino School of Education website
Soundtrack by Poddington Bear
Photo fdu.edu