" Anti-bias and anti-racism work are the bedrock of my educational and life journey ,” says Baltimore native and local educator Amber Cook ‘ 14 .
With that , Amber has always taken a student-first approach to education : “ We were trained to teach the students that we were in service to , not just the curriculum ,” she remarks .
While Amber ’ s personal upbringing and lived experiences equipped her with the knowledge to navigate racial conversations , she was left feeling perplexed on how to navigate those conversations in the school system . As she acquired more insight and first-hand opportunities through Stevenson ’ s School of Education , however , that gap soon began to close . “ Each of the teachers in the School of Education had a profound impact on the way I view education , and more importantly how I serve unto others ,” Amber expresses .
Amber ’ s reasoning for choosing Stevenson University went beyond the proximity to home and the small community vibe : “ their purposeful and intentional choice to view my academic and athletic background as a comprehensive part of who I am , and their willingness to work with me , made the transition from high school to college so seamless .” The ultimate difference for her was SU ’ s supportive community of faculty and staff that prioritized fostering and protecting an exceptional college experience .
During her time as an Elementary Education major , Amber had three different field placements , interning at local elementary schools in various grade levels . She appreciated the real-world experiences she received , being able to visit school and classroom settings , participating on grade-level teams , and planning and executing instructional lessons . “ Even though you can never be fully prepared for your first year of teaching , I felt as prepared as I could have leaving college for becoming a classroom educator ,” Amber says .
Before graduating from Stevenson , Amber secured a full-time , advanced contract for employment with Baltimore County Public Schools ( BCPS ). Amber reflects , “ Due to my skill set that I developed at college and continued to craft and refine , so many opportunities have opened up for me including leadership within the school-based setting , being a part of opening up a brand new elementary school , and working with the Curriculum & Instruction offices !"
For the past seven years , Amber has served as a classroom educator and , currently , as a Math Resource Teacher for BCPS . She also created a grassroots organization , Bmore : Standing in Solidarity , to bring people of all different races and ethnicities together in the fight for racial liberation . Amber received her Master ’ s in School Improvement Leadership from Goucher College in 2019 , and still collaborates with SU ’ s School of Education to conduct sessions for faculty , staff , and students on antiracism , inclusion in classrooms , and related topics .