MEETING the NEXT GREAT NEED in the CLASSROOM
By : Kirsten Brydges
Less than a decade ago , around 20,000 new teachers entered the workforce each year . Last year , only 6,000 . In addition to this steep decline , the rate at which current educators are leaving the workforce continues to accelerate .
Closer to home , Pennsylvania is expecting to have a higher proportion of students of color by 2025 , yet less than 7 % of teachers in Pennsylvania are people of color , according to the PA Department of Education .
Gwynedd Mercy University is working to fill these gaps .
The University partnered with the Wissahickon School District and a generous donor to form the “ Wissahickon and Gwynedd Mercy University Opportunity Scholarship .” The scholarship program is designed to provide one deserving student from Wissahickon High School a four-year , fulltuition scholarship to attend Gwynedd Mercy University as
Receiving the scholarship means the world to me as a biracial woman because it allows me to get the education I need to educate future generations for a better world .
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” an Early Education major and then return to the district as a K-4 teacher .
The primary goal of the program is to increase the diversity of Wissahickon ’ s teaching staff so it becomes more representative of their student population . Research has proven that students learn best when they have the opportunity to do so from teachers whose life experience reflects their own .
Toni Robinson ’ 26 is the first recipient of the Wissahickon and Gwynedd Mercy University Opportunity Scholarship and is currently thriving as a first-year student on campus . In just a few short months , Toni is already a member of several clubs , including the Environmentally Conscious Organization , Black Student Union , and the dance team . She is also a member of the Admissions team as a Griffin Ambassador .
“ Receiving the scholarship means the world to me as a biracial woman because it allows me to get the education I need to educate future generations for a better world ,” Toni said . “ Having the opportunity to return back to my home school district to teach is an opportunity not many teachers get and one I ’ m very proud of . It ’ s an accomplishment to have a secure job at one of the best school districts in Pennsylvania .”
The student is selected by the District , and must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and meet all GMercyU ’ s admissions requirements . Preference is given to a student from an underrepresented population based on the district ’ s commitment to diversifying its teaching staff to better mirror its student body .
This scholarship is funded , in part , by a generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous .
“ Not only is [ Wissahickon ] an amazing school , but it ’ s my school . To walk the halls again , but this time as an educator , will be so fulfilling . It ’ s amazing to see how life can come full circle from passionate student to a now passionate educator . I dream of the day I step foot on Wissahickon grounds again and get to educate the next generation of Wiss graduates . I had the best support team and I can ’ t wait to provide that support to another student in need ,” Toni added .
6 PRESIDENT ’ S REPORT